Iran pledges equipment for Lebanon army

Iran is to offer equipment to the Lebanese army to bolster its battle against militant groups, a senior Iranian official said on a visit to Beirut on Tuesday.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, made the announcement after meeting Lebanese officials, Lebanon's National News Agency said. 

"Iran has decided to offer a grant as a token of its appreciation for Lebanon and its brave army, in the form of equipment that will help the military in the heroic battle it is waging against terrorism," NNA quoted him as saying.

Iran's official IRNA news agency also reported the offer, saying Tehran was ready to "provide aid to Lebanon's heroic army proportionate to the threats."

Shamkhani did not give additional details on what form the aid would take, but stressed that it would be delivered quickly, IRNA reported.

Iran's offer of support follows promises of aid packages for the Lebanese army from both its regional rival Saudi Arabia and the United States.

It comes after Lebanese troops fought deadly clashes in August with miltants of the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front in a town on the Syrian border.

The militants withdrew from the area after a truce deal, but took with them several dozen captive Lebanese soldiers and police, three of whom they have since executed.

Relations between Iran and Lebanon are extremely complex, with Iran deemed the main backer of Shiite group Hezbollah that has its own armed militias and has long been seen as a counterweight to the regular Lebanese army that holds little sway in Hezbollah-controlled areas. 

Saudi Arabia in January announced it would give the Lebanese army $3 bn to purchase weapons and equipment from France, but that deal has yet to be finalised. 

Last week, the French minister of Public Administration and Decentralisation, Marylise Lebranchu, blamed the Saudis for the inaction. 

“The Saudis have raised questions about the accord as it was passed,” Lebranchu told journalists after meeting with politicians and civil servants in Beirut.

“Otherwise, it would be finished,” she said. 

In August, the kingdom offered another $1 bn in funds to allow the army to purchase supplies immediately.

Washington has also sought to bolster Lebanon's military, and in August announced it had delivered a new shipment of Hellfire missiles and would also supply light aircraft.

Announcing the supplies, US ambassador David Hale said the aircraft would be paid for out of the additional Saudi funding.