Report: UAE Mediation behind Riyadh's Hariri Invitation
U.S. and European pressures as well as an Emirati mediation were behind Saudi Arabia's decision to "restore communication with Prime Minister Saad Hariri," a media report said.
"Around a month ago, the head of UAE intelligence visited Lebanon secretly and met with Hariri for long hours," al-Akhbar newspaper quoted "highly informed official sources" as saying in remarks published Thursday.
The Emirati intelligence chief also met with a small number of figures, among them Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, the sources added.
Hariri met Saudi King Salman on Wednesday in his first visit to Saudi Arabia since his bizarre resignation announcement in the kingdom sparked a crisis between Beirut and Riyadh.
Hariri announced on November 4 that he was stepping down in a televised address from Riyadh, only to rescind it the following month after France intervened.
The shock resignation stirred tensions between Riyadh and Beirut, amid suspicions Hariri had been placed under house arrest.
Hariri is also due to hold talks with powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose impact on the kingdom's policies has steadily expanded since his appointment as heir to the throne in June.
His visit comes after a meeting Monday in Beirut with Saudi envoy Nizar al-Aloula during which Hariri said he received and accepted an invitation to travel to Riyadh.
Aloula also met with President Michel Aoun, who told him of Lebanon's desire to "maintain the best relations" with the oil-rich Gulf state.
01 March 2018, 10:17
28
Al Akhbar is as credible as when @mowateh claims he is Lebanese, secular, and has only one account.
01 March 2018, 12:13
26
Will Mostakbal support the FPM in the coming elections? What a mistake if they do!!!
01 March 2018, 15:08
27
Ils signent leur arrêt de mort. Cool! Qui sait, cela permettrait de voir émerger de nouveaux partis intéressants et surtout propres.
01 March 2018, 16:17
91
Everyone knows that lebanese political parties are influence and supported by foriegn nations... but the overreach shown by KSA towards the Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri by essentially arresting him, was an indefensible overreach, never before attempted by nations not at war. Lebanese that had been open and favorable to KSA, were left disgusted. Respect us! We are not pawns! When the gulf Arabs were living in tents and riding camels, we were the founding nation of the United Nations!! Before Oil money, we were here and relevant, and after oil we will still be relevant even after all these foriegn created problems!
01 March 2018, 16:59
17
Speak of now not of what was. You are irrelevant and will continue to be with that kind of attitude. We have resources that should have put Lebanon amongst the top nations in the world without the need for oil and gas. But your likes embraced a fake iranian resistance that brought nothing but wars and destruction upon Lebanon and put us back to the dark ages.
You have a chip on your shoulder and an inferiority complex towards the Gulf. Seek help!
01 March 2018, 16:22
91
Lebanon is a small divided people but even divided we are stronger and culturally more relevant than most of these Oil rich newly formed states. What will become of The Lebanon if we fully utilize our oil, gas and water reserves?
