Saudi Slams Hizbullah as Bahrain Says Group is 'Iran's Longest Arm in Region'
Saudi Arabia on Sunday renewed its criticism of Hizbullah as Bahrain described the Lebanese Iran-backed group as Tehran’s “longest arm in the region.”
The remarks were voiced during an emergency meeting for Arab foreign ministers in Cairo requested by Riyadh.
“Iran created agents in the region, such as the Huthi and Hizbullah militias, in total disregard for all international principles,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told the meeting, stressing that Riyadh “will not stand idly by in the face of Iran’s aggression.”
Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa meanwhile said that “Iran has several arms in the region and Hizbullah is its longest arm.”
"The Lebanese Republic, in spite of our relations with it as a brotherly Arab nation... is under the total control of this terrorist party," the minister added.
The minister said that Hizbullah "does not just carry out operations inside the borders of (Lebanon), it also crosses its borders to all of our nations," making it "a threat to Arab national security."
He called on countries such as Lebanon "where Hizbullah is a partner in government to carry their responsibility."
The meeting comes amid skyrocketing Saudi-Iranian tensions in the region over Yemen and Lebanon.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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