Saudi King Abdullah gave Lebanon one billion dollars to fight the ISIS onslaught in the north of the country.
ISIS fighters and supporters in Arsal, Lebanon this week.
Gunmen could be seen driving off with abducted members of the security forces in Arsal. (BBC)
Arab News reported:
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has granted $1 billion to help the Lebanese army bolster security as they battle militants who have seized the border town of Arsal on the Syrian frontier, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The king “has issued an order to provide aid to the Lebanese army and the national security (forces) worth $1 billion to support their ability to maintain the security and stability of Lebanon,” said former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri.
Al-Hariri and Lebanese parliamentarians thanked King Abdullah for the gesture and said the Saudi donation would help Lebanese forces crush terrorism.
“Generations of Lebanese people will remember the king’s generous support,” said Al-Hariri.“King Abdullah is keen on protecting Lebanon and supporting its institutions,” the former premier told reporters in Jeddah. “The king has expressed his solidarity with Lebanese people to combat terrorism and armed groups. He is implementing what he has said in his historic speech last week.”
Machine gunfire and shelling broke out on Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Arsal in breach of the 24-hour cease-fire. “The cease-fire is ongoing, but we are responding to any violations,” a Lebanese security official said about the battle with militants.
Lebanon arrested an ISIS member so ISIS responded by storming across the border, capturing a city, and simultaneously attacking Tripoli, too
— ComfortablySmug (@ComfortablySmug) August 4, 2014