MOSCOW, September 22 (RIA Novosti) - Lebanon is engaged in talks with Russia to buy weaponry and special equipment for the country, Lebanese Interior and Municipalities Minister Nouhad Machnouk told International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya.
"There are talks on buying Russian arms and special equipment by Lebanon … there will be a lot of positions. The Lebanese military has a lot of experience of working with Russian weapons. So they [Lebanese military] will soon determine what is needed," Machnouk said.
The minister also said the future deal will be sponsored by Saudi Arabia. "As for the Army, the Lebanese Army's chief of general staff will arrive in Moscow before the end of this month. He will be the one negotiating for which needs [Lebanon] can receive the gift of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he stated.
Machnouk noted that Russia is committed to resolving the political crisis in Lebanon. "Russia promised that together with the allied and friendly states will help find a way out of the presidential power vacuum in Lebanon," minister said.
Controversy in the Lebanese parliament in the past few months has prevented the election of a new Lebanese president
Machnouk ended his Moscow visit Sunday, during which he met representatives of the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry and intelligence agencies.
