Saudi to keep French military supplies meant for Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Sunday the kingdom will keep French military supplies previously intended for Lebanon under a USD 3 billion aid programme, as Riyadh toughens its stance against Hezbollah.

Last month the oil-rich Gulf state halted the programme in protest against Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group fighting in support of Syria’s regime - which Saudi bitterly opposes.

“We didn’t stop the contract. It’s just going to Saudi Arabia, not to Hezbollah,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference in Paris.

“We have a situation where Lebanon’s decisions have been hijacked by Hezbollah. The contracts will be completed but the clients will be the Saudi military.” 

On Wednesday the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council declared Hezbollah - which has lawmakers in the Lebanese parliament - a “terrorist” group in the latest step against the organisation as ties between its main backer Iran and regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia deteriorate.