France's Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who paid a state visit to Lebanon this week, inspected on Monday the French contingent operating within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in the southern town of Deir Kifa, accompanied by a senior French delegation and French Ambassador Patrice Paolim, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Le Drian arrived to the said town (photo) aboard an international chopper, and was received by UNIFIL Commander, General Luciano Portolano and a brass of the international peacekeepers.

After his meeting with the officers and soldiers, the visiting Minister indicated that Lebanon's security was not only important for the region, but also for Europe, underlining France's siding with Lebanon and the importance of working to face terrorism.

“The presence of a French contingent in the south within the UNIFIL is a message for the peace in the region,” he said, highlighting the “historical” Lebanese-French-Saudi partnership.

Lebanon has received the first shipment of $3 billion worth of French weapons paid for by Saudi Arabia. The handover ceremony occurred Monday at Beirut’s international airport and was attended by Lebanese and French Defense Ministers, as well as top Army Officers.

Source: NNN;

Photo: AP;