Since 2006, Jordan has been examining ways to expand Lebanon's tiny
military. Officials said the efforts of the Hashemite kingdom have been
coordinated with the United States, deemed the largest military supplier to
Beirut, Middle East Newsline reported. In the 1990s, Jordan was blocked by Washington from transferring
French-origin AMX-30 main battle tanks to Lebanon.
Officials said the military accord would pave the way for the drafting
of a legal framework for cooperation. They said the cooperation could
include Jordanian training of Lebanese officers in the field of
counter-insurgency.
Lebanon has been receiving military aid from both Arab and European
states. On Dec. 11, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov
visited Beirut and discussed military cooperation with Lebanese leaders,
including President Michel Suleiman, a former chief of staff.
Russia has offered Lebanon the MiG-29 fighter jet as well as
helicopters, armored personnel carriers and other equipment. Sultanov said
the Kremlin was working to implement Russian pledges to bolster the Lebanese
military.
"What happens here definitely has an impact on the entire region,"
Sultanov said.
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