Syrian Chief of Staff in Beirut … Ready to Provide Military Support for Lebanon
Syrian chief of staff Gen. Ali Habib will visit Beirut on Tuesday in what would be the first visit by such a senior military official since the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005.
The daily As Safir said Habib, heading a military delegation, will hold broad military talks expected to stress Damascus” willingness to provide military assistance for Lebanon.
As Safir said Habib”s visit, in response to an invitation by Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji, will reaffirm joint cooperation between the Syrian and Lebanese armies in order to ensure the security of the two countries as well as control of their common border and counter-terrorism.
The delegation is scheduled to meet, in addition to Qahwaji, President Michel Suleiman.
As Safir pointed that Habib”s agenda neither included Prime Minister Fouad Saniora nor Defense Minister Elias Murr.
It quoted a military source as saying that Habib would stress his country”s readiness to provide Lebanon with military aid, particularly in the area of increased training as well as offering military equipment and ammunition in addition to logistic assistance.