Lebanon receives first installment of $3bn French arms deal

Lebanese and French defense ministers and top army officers were present at Beirut international airport Monday for the handover of the first installment of French hardware under a $2bn arms deal, paid for by Saudi Arabia. The deal, first announced in 2013, aims to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence spilling over from the civil war in neighboring Syria. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the transaction will include dozens of armored vehicles, six transport helicopters and other types of weapons. The French military will also run training programs for Lebanese troops.