In response to the Lebanese government's controversial backing of Iran, Saudi Arabia has announced on Friday that it would be halting $4 billion worth of military deals set to improve and strengthen Lebanon's security forces, according to CBS News.
The $4 billion pledge from Saudi Arabia involved two primary deals: a $3 billion contract to provide the Lebanese army with French arms and modern anti-tank guided Milan missiles, and a $1 billion contract to improve the country's police force.
News of Saudi Arabia's halting of support has angered millions of Lebanese, with some stating that the government was not thinking of its people when it decided to support Iran. Mohammad Abu Diab, a food importer, described how the issue is looked upon by a significant number of the country's people, reports Gulf News.
Our politicians talk a lot but say precious little. What is truly sad is that most do not have any memory as they seem to have forgotten the myriad aid we received from Saudi Arabia, from the Ta'if Accords to the billions they gave us over the years," he said.
Saudi's decision was supported by a number of its peers in the Gulf, however, with members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) stating that they fully back the pullout of the funds from Lebanon. Abdullatif Al Zayani, secretary-general of the GCC, stated that members of the GCC do not agree with Lebanon's decision, reports Ya Libnan News.
"The members of the GCC back the decision, which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made in response to Lebanon's official positions that contravene pan-Arab consensus and are not in line with the deep relations between the GCC and Lebanon and the great support extended by Saudi Arabia and other GCC members," he said.
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