King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed readiness to aid and train the Lebanese army as Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq began an official visit to Amman.

“We are one... Jordan is ready to offer the Lebanese army all its needs of arms and military equipment, including free training at all our bases,” sources quoted King Abdullah II as saying in comments in al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday.

The sources pointed out that Mashnouq discussed with the king Jordan's role in supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.

“Amman recently delivered the Lebanese military gift arms shipment upon a request by (Mustaqbal Movement chief) Saad Hariri,” the sources said.

They added that the delay in announcing the shipment is due to the death of Maaz al-Kassasbeh by the Islamic State militants last week. The pilot was captured in December after his F-16 fighter jet went down in Syria.

“Jordan is skillful in combating terrorism,” Mashnouq said after talks with the king on Wednesday.

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim accompanied the interior minister on his visit.

H.K.

M.T.