French and Lebanese military forces have carried out joint naval exercises in waters close to the Middle Eastern country’s capital, Beirut. French forces, headed by the COURBET frigate, arrived in Lebanon earlier this week ahead of planned training exercises in waters off Ras Beirut. Cooperative exercises included diving, ship inspecting and on-board fire control measures. Afterwards, French forces presented a gift to their Lebanese counterparts following training aimed at increasing military cooperation through ground, naval and air exercises.