"Prime Minister Saad Hariri was informed on December
15, of the French decision to supply the army with 100
... HOT missiles that will be used by the military's Gazelle
helicopters," the official told AFP. "The missiles
will be delivered before the end of February and are being
given with no conditions attached," the official
added.
In Paris, the office of French Prime Minister Francois
Fillon confirmed that a letter to that effect had been
sent to Hariri.
In August, a U.S. lawmaker objected to the transfer, saying
the missiles could end up being used against Israel given
the influence of the powerful militant group Hezbollah in
Lebanon.
"The influence of Hezbollah militants and their
Iranian and Syrian backers in the Lebanese government
is rising," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.,
the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Therefore, to sell weapons to Lebanon at this time
would be very irresponsible and could jeopardize security
and stability in the region."
Press reports had said Israel, which fought a devastating
war with Hezbollah in 2006, also expressed concerns.
In November, Washington lifted a hold it had placed on
$100 million in military aid to Lebanon after receiving
assurances that the army would closely monitor the border
with Israel and that the assistance would not be diverted
to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is considered the most powerful military and
political force in Lebanon.
Intelligence officials estimate Hezbollah has amassed
an arsenal of more than 40,000 short and long-range rockets
as well as other sophisticated weapons, including anti-aircraft
guns, that the party claims can reach deep inside Israel.
