BEIRUT, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and the Netherlands signed a defense cooperation agreement on Tuesday, under which the Netherlands will provide 7.5 million U.S. dollars in financial assistance to support the Lebanese Army.
The pact was signed by Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and his Dutch counterpart Ruben Brekelmans, focusing on training programs, capacity building, and enhancing border control capabilities, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Menassa thanked the Netherlands for its long-standing friendship and support, including its role in UNIFIL and assistance after the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the NNA reported.
Brekelmans highlighted the 7.5-million-dollar aid as part of his government's continued investment in Lebanon's defense and governance sectors, it reported.
Earlier in the day, Brekelmans met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deeper partnership, the NNA reported.
Aoun briefed Brekelmans on Lebanon's political and security challenges, and urged European countries to pressure Israel to end its border violations and respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701, it reported.
Brekelmans reiterated the Netherlands' commitment to Lebanon's stability, and invited Aoun to visit the Netherlands, it reported.
A U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since late November last year, halting months of cross-border hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.
Despite the truce, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah "threats." Lebanon and several international organizations have condemned the attacks as violations of the ceasefire. Enditem
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