(WASHINGTON, DC) - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz today issued an order to donate $1 billion in assistance to the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces and all official security forces for efforts to preserve security and stability in Lebanon and combat extremists and terrorism in the region. The donation comes after a terrorist attack last week on the Lebanese Armed Forces in Arsal in which seven soldiers were killed.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri held a press conference in Jeddah to thank King Abdullah for the assistance and reiterate its importance in the fight against terrorism not only in Lebanon but throughout the Middle East.

“The assistance that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has decided is clear and specific, and concerns the Lebanese army and security institutions that fight terrorism and hunt armed men and extremism everywhere,” Hariri stated. “Terrorism is a cancer threatening not only the very existence of Lebanon but also the whole region with chaos and strife.”

Last week, King Abdullah addressed the Arab and Islamic nations and international community, stating that it’s the responsibility of the Muslim world not to allow Islam to serve as justification for terrorist acts. “I call on leaders and scholars of the Islamic nation to carry out their duty towards God Almighty, and to stand in the face of those trying to hijack Islam and present it to the world as a religion of extremism, hatred, and terrorism, and to speak the word of truth, and not fear anybody,” said King Abdullah.

This aid is separate from $3 billion Saudi Arabia pledged to Lebanon in December 2013 to strengthen the capabilities of the nation’s armed forces.