BEIRUT: Former premier Saad Hariri thanked the Saudi king for his country’s support of the Lebanese Army Monday, as the first installment of a Saudi-funded $3 billion weapons deal arrived in Beirut from France.

Hariri met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz in Riyadh, in the presence officials including Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz and Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Naif bin Abdul-Aziz.

“Premier Hariri thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the kingdom’s [support of] Lebanon’s security and stability, and for its support to the Lebanese Army to increase its preparedness and force, in order to confront terrorism and defend Lebanon’s borders,” a statement released by Hariri’s press office said.

The first installment of French weapons was met with a ceremony at Rafik Hariri International Airport attended by Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who arrived Sunday to oversee the delivery.

“There is an existential crisis in all the region’s countries due to the security situation, and France wants to help Lebanon remain a sign of stability in the region,” Le Drian said in a joint news conference with Moqbel.

The first weapons shipment included 48 MILAN anti-tank missiles, dozens of vehicles, six transport helicopters, and CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, Le Drian said.

Sixty French troops have also been dispatched to Lebanon to train the Army in the use of the equipment.

The remainder will be shipped to Lebanon incrementally over the next four years. Le Drian said another installment would arrive next month.

AFP reported that Lebanon will ultimately receive 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar helicopters, three corvette warships, and a range of surveillance and communications equipment. The helicopters and warships are still being manufactured and will not arrive for another 30 months.

Moqbel thanked Saudi Arabia and France, along with other countries that provide military aid to Lebanon, particularly the United States and members of the European Union. He said the Army was receptive to any unconditional grant that does not violate international resolutions.

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awad Asiri – who also attended the ceremony – said the grant represented a message of support to the Army and legitimate Lebanese institutions. “[Saudi Arabia] looks at Lebanon as a government and a people, and we’re not affected by what comes out from certain [quarters],” Asiri told reporters after the ceremony.

Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, has voiced scathing criticism of the kingdom since it began its Decisive Storm military operation against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last month.

“The relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are above everything we’ve heard in the media, which does not serve Lebanon and, unfortunately, causes civil strife,” Asiri said.

Lebanon has awaited the arrival of the weapons since the deal was first announced by former President Michel Sleiman in December 2013, following talks with the late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz.

The nature of the arrangement – a three state arms deal – is unprecedented, and led to drawn out contractual proceedings.

The weapons have arrived at a crucial time, as the underequipped Lebanese Army continues to battle militants from ISIS and theNusra Front along the eastern border.

Jihadi groups overran the northeastern town of Arsal during five days of intense fighting last summer, eventually withdrawing with more than 30 hostage soldiers and policemen. Twenty-five remain in captivity.

“The battle of Arsal is proof of the threat posed by ISIS and the Nusra Front,” Le Drian said during his address. “And my thoughts go out to the hostages and their families.”

In addition to sponsoring the French arms deal, last August Saudi Arabia pledged $1 billion to help Lebanon upgrade its security apparatus.

Later in the day, Le Drian discussed the weapons shipment in separate meetings with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Moqbel.

Salam thanked Saudi Arabia and King Salman for the grant, saying in a statement that it was one of many initiatives taken by the kingdom to protect Lebanon. “We emphasize on this occasion our pride in the brotherly relationship between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and our commitment to cementing this relationship.”

Salam also expressed gratitude to French President Francois Hollande for his “genuine friendship toward Lebanon and its people.”

Le Drian inspected French peacekeepers stationed in the village of Deir Kifa, where he was briefed by French officers on their mission, before flying to Doha Monday evening. – Additional reporting by Mohammed Zaatari