Bassil Says 'Lebanon is Not Hizbullah', Tells Saudi Its Problem is with Iran

W460

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil stressed Wednesday that Saudi Arabia should not act against entire Lebanon if it has a problem with Hizbullah or Iran.

“Our premier is not Hizbullah and I'm not Hizbullah, and if Saudi Arabia has a problem with Iran, let it resolve it with Iran, not with Lebanon and the Lebanese,” said Bassil during a meeting in Rome with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano.

Bassil, however, noted that Lebanon is still seeking to resolve the latest crisis with Riyadh in a “bilateral” manner and that resorting to international law would be the last option.

“Our objective is to resolve the crisis bilaterally in order to restore the normal situation,” Bassil, who started a Europe tour on Tuesday to explain Lebanon's position, told reporters.

He said it is “abnormal” for Lebanon's prime minister to be in an “ambiguous” situation despite his announcement that he will return home.

“There is no reason that explains his failure to return to Lebanon and international conventions guarantee his freedom of movement and this is a sovereign matter,” Bassil added.

“To overcome this dilemma, let our premier return to his country to express his opinion freely,” the FM went on to say.

“Certainly, we will only resort to dialogue to resolve our problems, but we reject interference in our affairs and we reject dictations. Let us end ambiguity through the return of our premier to Lebanon. We also reject any interference by Lebanon or the Lebanese in the affairs of other countries,” Bassil said.

He also denied receiving a phone a call from Hariri after reports said the premier had called Bassil to ask him to stop raising the issue of his family's freedom of movement in Saudi Arabia.

Bassil later held talks in Rome with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who was in the kingdom on Tuesday.

After talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Hariri, al-Rahi said he was "convinced by the reasons for his (Hariri's) resignation." "He will return to Lebanon as soon as possible," al-Rahi promised.

Hariri has tweeted earlier that he is “doing very well” and that he will return from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon within days.

In his first TV interview since he announced a surprise resignation from Riyadh on November 4, Hariri said Sunday he will return to Lebanon to seek a new settlement with President Michel Aoun and Iran-backed Hizbullah.

Hariri, looking downcast and tired, denied he was being held against his will in the kingdom and said he was compelled to resign to save Lebanon from imminent dangers, which he didn't specify.

He held back tears at one point and repeated several times that he resigned to create a "positive shock" and draw attention to the danger of siding with Iran in regional conflicts.

A political crisis has gripped Lebanon since Hariri read a televised resignation from Saudi Arabia in which he accused Iran of meddling in Lebanon in a vicious tirade that was uncharacteristic of the usually soft-spoken premier.

Aoun and other Lebanese officials have refused to accept Hariri's resignation until he returns to the country.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 16
Thumb ashtah 15 November 2017, 19:30

باسيل: إذا كانت لدى السعودية مشاكل مع حزب الله فلتحلّها مع إيران وليس مع اللبنانيين.۔16:37

Sure because Hezbollah does not claim it is Lebanese, does not use Lebanese land to launch its activities from, does not have training camps in Lebanon, is not HQ'd in Dahieh ( Lebanon), and is purely an Iranian party, right?

Shameful indeed.

Thumb Mystic 15 November 2017, 20:49

Meanwhile Saudi Army in action.

https://youtu.be/70oE3d-saC0?t=5s

Thumb Elemental 15 November 2017, 21:13

Cry more.

Thumb Mystic 15 November 2017, 21:22

you mean laugh more.

Thumb Elemental 15 November 2017, 22:14

No, I mean cry, as in obsessing about your precious Saudi's doesn't make a difference.

Thumb Knight 16 November 2017, 08:53

but what bassil omits to mention is that some who claim to be 'Lebanese' like him are giving cover for Hezbollah and legitimizing Hezbollah's terror activities. Hezbollah is using government resources, institutions, and systems to move equipment and personnel in and out of Lebanon.

The Lebanese State/government is responsible for all hezbollah's actions and should be held accountable.

Thumb EagleDawn 15 November 2017, 19:31

"the_roar:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Today you listened to the future president of Lebanon. Learn people learn."

Thumb lubnani.masi7i 15 November 2017, 19:37

and what is the Lebanese State's responsibility in all of this and for allowing Hezbollah to operate on Lebanese territory?

It is now clear that Lebanon's sovereignty does not come into play according to Bassil when Hezbollah is involved.

So, if another country decides to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon, Bassil sees nothing wrong with that, I am assuming.

Thumb ex-fpm 15 November 2017, 19:50

and at long last, the iranian sell out finally admits hezbollah is an iranian treacherous party based in Lebanon and reports directly to the mullahs of Iran.

Thumb barrymore 15 November 2017, 19:57

Bassil just confirmed what KSA and others have been saying that Lebanon is under Hezbollah's and Iran's control.

Thumb justin 15 November 2017, 20:23

Bassil lies exposed again!

باسيل: أنا لم أتلق إتصالاً من الرئيس الحريري ولم أتكلم معه مباشرة منذ ذهابه إلى المملكة وأنا كل ما قلته إننا نريد أن يكون الرئيس الحريري حراً من دون قيود.۔16:40

قطيش لباسيل: “اتصل بك وحبة مسك”

أكد وزير الخارجية جبران باسيل خلال مؤتمر مشترك له مع نظيره الإيطالي أنجلينو ألفانو ردّا على سؤال، أن “الرئيس سعد الحريري لم يتصل به، مضيفاً: “لم يتصل بي الحريري وعندما سُئلت أمس عن موضوع عائلته قلت إن الأمر يعني رئيس الحكومة وحده”. ليأتيه ردّ الاعلامي نديم قطيش عبر “تويتر”، قائلاً: “:اتصل بك وحبة مسك”.
https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2017/11/15/bassil-koteich/

Thumb justin 15 November 2017, 21:56

flame shuttle

Qoteish is hariri's personal advisor and speak to him daily.

Thumb justin 15 November 2017, 20:23

indeed, lol.

Thumb Elemental 15 November 2017, 21:15

The Hez are not Lebanese, they're Iranian. Lebanon is bought an manipulated by Iran, they were dumb enough to think they were decent. Nice attempt at deflecting, although it's what you're paid to do.

Thumb janoubi 15 November 2017, 22:09

If Hariri's resignation is not accepted, why hasn't aoun called for an emergency meeting of the cabinet?

Any position taken by Aoun and Bassil regarding the Hariri issue is illegal and should be discussed in the cabinet and have cabinet approval.

Thumb warrior 16 November 2017, 04:36

because aoun is focused on fighting saudi arabia at iran's instrtuctions and does not want to deal with the reality that hezbollah is the evil that should be dealt with.