France says to `quickly meet Lebanon`s needs` on arms

Paris: France said Tuesday it would move quickly to answer a call from Lebanon for faster arms deliveries as it battles Islamist militants on the Syrian border.

"France is fully committed to supporting the Lebanese army, a pillar of stability and unity in Lebanon," deputy foreign ministry spokesman Vincent Floreani said. "We are in close contact with our partners to quickly meet Lebanon`s needs," he said. Lebanon`s army chief General Jean Kahwaji urged France on Tuesday to speed up the delivery of weapons under a Saudi-financed deal. Saudi Arabia in December agreed to finance a $3-billion deal to purchase military equipment and weapons from France for Lebanon`s army, which has long complained of being badly under-equipped. Kahwaji`s request came as the Lebanese army battles jihadists in the Arsal region of eastern Lebanon on the border with Syria. The fighting erupted on Saturday after soldiers arrested a man accused of belonging to Al-Qaeda`s Syrian affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front.