When French president François Hollande visits Saudi Arabia, a traditional Western ally in the Middle East, most expect standard-fare statements about cooperation and concern for security developments in the region. But on December 29, 2013, news came from the Saudi king’s luxurious Rawdat Khurayim farm residence about the country’s decision to arm the Lebanese military and prevent the Iran/Syria alliance from taking over Lebanon.

 

The measure, in which Saudi Arabia has offered Lebanon a $3 billion credit card to go shopping in Paris for military equipment and boost its state army to face internal and regional challenges, is unprecedented. While the Gulf country was a traditional donor to the Lebanese Armed Forces, it had never granted such a large sum of cash to any foreign army.

 

“The region is experiencing a lot of changes. Saudi Arabia has been adapting during the past few months… it is no [longer] relying on initiatives by Western allies,” Dubai-based military analyst Riad Kahwaji told NOW. “Saudi Arabia is the center of gravity in the Arab world, with Egypt, Syria, and Iraq engulfed in their own internal problems. The Saudis are trying now to lead efforts that will safeguard Arab interests,” he said. [Link]