In its first action against Syrian aircraft since the start of the Syrian war, the Lebanese army fired antiaircraft missiles at two Syrian helicopters that bombed Khirbet Dawud near Arsal. President Sleiman said yesterday that Saudi Arabia has given Lebanon $3 billion to buy military equipment from France for the army; a March 14 official hailed it as a move to end Hezbollah’s arms dominance. President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister-designate Salam agreed to try to form a 14-member neutral Cabinet before Jan. 25.
