Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Wednesday urged the international community to present a “common front” against Islamic State in what he called a battle between “humanity” and “monsters.”
In an interview to appear in Thursday’s edition of French daily Le Figaro, Bassil said: “We cannot exclude anyone with the desire and the means” to fight Islamic State.
“Without going so far as to speak of an alliance, we need a common front. If not, the jihadists will pile in to the slightest void. It’s a battle of principle. A battle of humanity against monsters,” added Bassil.
He said that Lebanon was “impatiently” waiting for a delivery of French-made weapons paid for by a three-billion-dollar (2.3-billion-euro) loan from Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, France and Saudi Arabia said they were putting the final touches on the arms deal for Lebanon, following talks between President Francois Hollande and the Saudi crown prince.
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“We are assured there is no political obstacle but that the delay is due to technical and logistical problems,” said Bassil.
“Support for the Lebanese army is indispensable for the success of the international community against terrorism, of which Lebanon will have to be a part.”
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