MOSCOW, August 22 (RIA Novosti) - Lebanon’s Interior Ministry has decided to send two soldiers previously engaged in fighting against Islamic State (IS) extremists to Russia for training, the body’s press service said in a statement.
The two servicemen, who both hold the rank of Sergeant First Class, are likely to be trained at a facility on the Russian-Finnish border.
The decision was made by the country’s interior minister, Nouhad Machnouk, back in July, days before Islamic extremists launched a massive offensive on the city of Arsal, near the Syrian border. The fighting left 10 Lebanese soldiers killed and over 80 wounded. Civilian casualties have also been reported.
The area of Arsal is considered to be the jihadists’ logistical base, from which they are moving toward Damascus and Homs. Lebanese and Syrian forces have carried out numerous operations in the area.
Lebanon is currently experiencing a major political crisis. The Middle Eastern country’s parliament has so far failed to choose a new president. The date of the vote has been repeatedly delayed and is currently scheduled for November.
