Report: Syria To Arm, Equip Lebanese Army

The Lebanese daily Al-Safir reports that during Lebanon Army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji's November 29 visit to Syria, the two countries agreed to renew coordination between the countries, and on military cooperation, to include Syria Army maintenance of Lebanese Army tanks, APCs, and cannon, its arming and equipping of the Lebanese Army, and holding joint training courses for the two armies.

Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani and Syrian chief of staff Ali Habib said that Syria had no need or intention of returning to Lebanon, and Turkmani said that Syria's political benefit had increased following its withdrawal from Lebanon.

The March 14 Forces expressed resentment at the recent and frequent visits to Syria by Lebanese oppositionists, ministers, and security officials.

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt expressed amazement at the haste to normalize relations with Syria, and wondered whether the government had been updated regarding Qahwaji's agenda in Syria.

Source: Al-Safir, Lebanon, December 1, 2008

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