Saudi Arabia will give the Lebanese army three billion U.S. dollars in aid -- the largest grant ever to the country's armed forces.
Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman said Saudi Arabia suggested that weapons would be purchased from France, and quickly.
France has indicated that it is ready to do business with Lebanon.
The donation comes as Lebanon's army struggles to deal with internal militant groups, particularly the Shi'ite Muslim guerrilla and political movement Hezbollah.
Watchers say Saudi Arabia wants to shore up the Lebanese army as a counterbalance to Hezbollah, seen as the most effective and powerful armed group in Lebanon and funded by Iran.... a key adversary of Saudi Arabia.

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