Committee agrees to grant Lebanese Army $1.6 billion

An agreement was reached by a ministerial committee Monday to allocate $1.6 billion toward the purchase of military gear and equipment for the Lebanese Army. The agreement was made during a meeting dedicated to examining a draft law proposing to supply the Lebanese Army with its needs. The defense ministry had proposed the draft law, which was presented to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who in turn referred it to a ministerial committee for examination. “The Committee discussed the draft law during its meeting today and agreed to set aside $1.6 billion [for the Lebanese Army] to be spent gradually over a period of five years,” Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn told reporters following the meeting. He said the draft law will be put on the Cabinet’s agenda following approval of the long-awaited salary scale for public employees. “Taking this step is very essential and significant because it is the first time that a draft law benefiting Lebanese Army is put forward, and everyone knows what the Lebanese Army urgently needs in order to carry out its basic tasks ... including assisting citizens while preserving the country’s interests, unity and sovereignty,” Ghosn added. (daily star)