Saudi Arabia gives US$1bn military aid to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia has given US$1 billion to Lebanon's army to fight Syrian militants in border clashes.

Lebanon's Hezbollah group said its fighters had begun an operation against militants on both sides of the country's border with Syria. Source: AAP, EPA

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has given one billion dollars to the Lebanese security forces engaged in battle with Islamist militants on the Syria-Lebanon border.

Saad Hariri, former Lebanon Prime Minister and leading Sunni political representative, said King Abdullah "has informed me of his generous decision to provide the Lebanese army and national security (force) with one billion dollars to strengthen its capabilities to preserve Lebanon's security".

Hariri confirmed the aid has been received.

Lebanon's army chief General Jean Kahwaji this week urged France to speed up the delivery of weapons from a US$3 billion deal financed by Saudi Arabia.

The request came as Lebanese army battles militants in the Arsal region of eastern Lebanon. The fighting erupted on Saturday after soldiers arrested a man accused of belonging to Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front.

"France is fully committed to supporting the Lebanese army, a pillar of stability and unity in Lebanon', deputy foreign ministry spokesman Vincent Floreani said.

The UN Security Council this has also expressed their support for Lebanon's efforts as tensions heightened and Lebanon suffered military losses.

In April, the number of Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon passed one million.