Ottawa is tapping into a fund used in the past for peacebuilding projects to supply Lebanon with fast patrol boats and Jeeps. Sources tell The Canadian Press the money would come from the Foreign Affairs Department's Global Peace and Security Fund. An official at Foreign Affairs, who spoke on background, said four boats to be constructed by an unidentified company in BC are destined for the Lebanese customs service and would apparently not be armed.
Federal Treasury Board documents show five million dollars has been set aside from the peace and security fund in the current budget year for "stabilization assistance for Lebanon.'' In the past the security fund has been used for peace-building projects in countries like Sudan. The patrol boat deal appears to be part of broader international effort to prop up the shaky Lebanese government as it fights terrorists Paleo crazies Syria Hezbollah all of them Islamic militants. |