A security meeting was held on Friday at the Grand Serail attended by Prime Minister Tammam Salam,
former PM MP Saad Hariri, Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel, Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq, the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, the Director General of General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim and the Director General of State Security Brigadier General George Karaa.
Talks reportedly featured high on the decision issued by Saudi King Abdullah to provide the Lebanese army with a $1 billion grant.
Upon leaving the Serail, Kahwagi noted that the army has requested fighter jets to combat terrorism, adding that the Saudi grant will sufficiently provide the military institution with arms.
Kahwagi also stressed that the army has entered
Arsal, noting that the captive soldiers have been taken outside the border town.
For his part, Minister of Interior noted that all nations have delivered words to Lebanon but Saudi Arabia "has kept its promises."
In turn, Hariri noted that means to distribute the grant were discussed during the meeting, whereby funds will be administered evenly among the Lebanese security apparatuses in coordination with PM Salam and concerned ministers. He also said that he would personally oversee the operation.
Hariri arrived to Lebanon on Friday after a three year absence, a visit seen as a show of assertion of his leadership over the Sunni community in the country.
Salam hailed Hariri's return to Lebanon, adding that "it reflects a high sense of patriotism."
Salam also hoped that Hariri's return will break the political stalemate in the country.
Following the security meeting, PM Salam also held separate talks with Hariri, Machnouq and Moqbel.
The Saudi grant is separate from the $3 billion Saudi Arabia announced in December to help strengthen Lebanon's army with the purchase of weapons from France.
The aid comes amid a growing terrorist threat in the country after militants took over the northeastern border town of Arsal.
The militants withdrew on Thursday. But Arsal's seizure marked the first time that extremists fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad's troops carried out an incursion into Lebanon.
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