Bou Saab: Aoun's Position Not Meant for Escalation

W460

Presidential Adviser for International Cooperation Elias Bou Saab clarified on Thursday that President Michel Aoun's accusations that Saudi Arabia is holding Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri in “detention,” were not intended to escalate rhetoric with the kingdom.

“Positions made by President Aoun were not launched with the aim of escalation but were merely a cry for help. Aoun has asked SA for clarification (as for Hariri's fate) in order to know how to manage the crisis but he received no response,” said Bou Saab in an interview with radio VDL (100.5) Thursday.

He pointed out that the current government “can not be made a caretaker government without a prime minister to run the work,” adding that Aoun's remarks preserve Lebanese dignity.

“The President has always reiterated the need to maintain unparalleled ties with SA,” said Bou Saab, stressing “there is great keenness to restore the means of dialogue and communication.”

Bou Saab noted that the “first foreign visit made by Aoun as president was to Saudi Arabia,” adding “the solution comes through dialogue and brotherhood. Relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia did not reach the point of no return.”

Pointing to a ”confusing” situation with regard to Hariri's presence in SA, he said: “If it was normal Western countries, including France, would not have intervened to find a solution to this crisis.”

However, Bou Saab denied any intention to break relations with Saudi Arabia or any freeze of Lebanon's membership in the Arab League. “we have only heard these measures from the media," he said.

Aoun on Wednesday accused Saudi Arabia of having "detained" Hariri, who announced his resignation in a statement from the kingdom earlier this month.

"Nothing justifies the failure of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to return for 12 days, therefore we consider him to be held and detained, contrary to the Vienna Convention," Aoun had said.

Speculation has swirled about the circumstances of Hariri's resignation since his surprise announcement on November 4 in a statement read on Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya television channel.

There have been rumors that the prime minister, who is a Saudi citizen and grew up in the kingdom, had been detained along with dozens of Saudis in what Riyadh says is an anti-corruption campaign.

Aoun has yet to officially accept Hariri's resignation, and has said he will not do so before meeting the premier in person in Lebanon.

President Emmanuel Macron had "invited" Hariri and his family to France in the coming days," a French Presidency statement said Wednesday.

The statement said the invitation came after Macron spoke by telephone to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Hariri.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 13
Thumb Knight 16 November 2017, 10:08

Bou Saab: Aoun's Position Not Meant for Escalation

of course not! A bunch of sellouts and traitors.

Thumb Mystic 16 November 2017, 10:33

Saudi are allies with Israel. That makes you the traitors, if you are even from Lebanon.

Thumb marcus 16 November 2017, 10:54

If you say so shia troll, if you say so.

Missing humble 16 November 2017, 19:09

Mastica,

Your soul is sold to the Iranian evil. That makes of you not only a traitor, but also a satanic adept.

Thumb Elemental 16 November 2017, 19:49

An Iranian acting Lebanese lol^

Thumb Elemental 16 November 2017, 21:32

Another fake account from the one who created a fake Portuguese account, oh the hypocrisy^

Thumb ___flamethrower___ 16 November 2017, 11:59

Best presidential advisor, ever!

Thumb ___flamethrower___ 16 November 2017, 19:22

lol @ motel5000

Thumb Elemental 16 November 2017, 19:44

O covarde^Movaten

Thumb shab 16 November 2017, 17:25

lool @ cry for help

Missing humble 16 November 2017, 19:10

Ebola is a disease worse than cancer and Aounallah and imbassil are their lackeys. Soon there Will be a medicine for the cure.

Thumb Elemental 16 November 2017, 19:45

O covarde^ Movaten.portugal.

Thumb Elemental 16 November 2017, 19:44

O covarde^