UK: $20m in aid to Lebanese army

The UK's Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher said on Tuesday that his country is set to give Lebanon a USD 20 million worth of aid in military equipment and training sessions, and another USD 75 million to support organizations in charge of efforts to aid Syrian refugees. During his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, the ambassador said that the UK supports the efforts of Suleiman to maintain piece and political stability in the country, adding that the UK would hold international talks in order to keep Lebanon neutral and protect it from being dragged into conflicts in neighboring countries. On another front, Fletcher praised recent development in the commercial exchange between the two countries, an up of 34 percent, expecting an even higher percentage next year