Lebanon could recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia

[Afro-European]

MOSCOW, November 10 (RIA Novosti) - Lebanon wants to establish contacts with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and may consider recognizing the two Georgian separatist republics as independent, Russian daily Vremya Novostei reported on Monday. Russia recognized the republics as independent after its brief war with Georgia, which attacked South Ossetia on August 8. Nicaragua is so far the only other country to have recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The paper quoted Saad Hariri, leader of the Lebanese parliamentary majority Future Movement, as saying: "The recognition issue will be decided at the top level of government. We are about to start establishing contacts with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Delegations of our businessmen will soon be sent there."
At a meeting with Hariri last Friday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pledged Moscow's economic and political assistance to Beirut.
Hariri told the paper that supplies of military hardware had been discussed, and would be considered in detail during a visit to Russia by Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr in November or early December.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20081110/118219729.html
If Lebanon goes ahead with this plan,the US will cut its military aid.

[CMNot]

Well that'll cause a seismic shock in International Relations :roll:

[Hogan]

Russia: Hi, we'll give you money and tanks, but only if you recognize our new little puppet countries because no one else is.....
Lebanon: Do they come with rims and chrome exhaust?
Russia: Well, they've been sitting in storage depots since the end of the cold war but sure!
Lebanon: Deal!

[Paya]

Russia: Hi, we'll give you money and tanks, but only if you recognize our new little puppet countries because no one else is.....
Lebanon: Do they come with rims and chrome exhaust?
Russia: Well, they've been sitting in storage depots since the end of the cold war but sure!
Lebanon: Deal!
And what's wrong with that? Many countries recognized Kosovo simply because US diplomats told them to, and some were pressured into it.

The Lebanese would at least get the the much needed heavy equipment for the gesture.

[Stefan850]

And what's wrong with that? Many countries recognized Kosovo simply because US diplomats told them to, and some were pressured into it.

The Lebanese would at least get the the much needed heavy equipment for the gesture.


Many is a small word :)

[V.I.D.]

And what's wrong with that? Many countries recognized Kosovo simply because US diplomats told them to, and some were pressured into it.

The Lebanese would at least get the the much needed heavy equipment for the gesture.

Exactly so, I hope they do it and that many other countries follow.

[Mr.Flint]

The reason for that is quite simple,S. Ossetia and Abkahzia will be the new transit points for arms trade that will give perfect denial to Russia. No more problems with egos of Luka and Assad. And Lebanon by buying weaponry through Abkahzia and S. Ossetia, will always be able to retain US goodwill and aid.
A win win to all, with the exception of one small part - Lebanon will lose any ability to claim any "occupied" lands after that.

[budgie]

http://en.rian.ru/world/20081110/118219729.html
If Lebanon goes ahead with this plan,the US will cut its military aid.

What two dozen M-16A1s and a box of bullets? They'll be fine, methinks.

Seriously though I think that the Lebanese military has been seriously under-sponsored for decades. If the West would lavish weaponry on them to even half the extent they do Israel then Lebanon would have a lot less trouble from militants and a lot more control over their own territory.

But back to the OT - what's Russia bribing them? Mayhap they have an arms package in the works themselves?

[Jobu]

I think there's a good chance Assad will view Obama as weak and Syria will attempt to re-occupy Lebanon. They've already moved fairly significant numbers to the border.

But I think these heavy arms the Lebanese may receive from Russia are more likely to be confiscated by Assad's boys than used against them.

[LEB101]

even though im loving the idea of heavy weapons for our army from who ever wants to give it to us i dont think we are going to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia