Asiri Lauds Release of Servicemen, Hopes Lebanese Unite over Presidential Candidate
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri hailed on Tuesday the release of 16 servicemen who were held hostage by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, while hoping that this occasion will kick off efforts to resolve pending issues, most notably the presidential deadlock.
He said in a statement: “Saudi Arabia hopes that Lebanese powers will be able to elect a president as soon as possible to put an end to the paralysis at state institutions, which has started to have negative effects on the country.”
He added that he “supports any candidate who enjoys the backing on the Lebanese people, especially the Christians.”
The kingdom is “closely following” regional developments, including those in Lebanon, “out of its fraternal keenness on the country and its people,” he continued.
Asiri stressed however that Riyadh does not meddle in Lebanese affairs, saying that the “Lebanese people alone should take the decisions that suit them.”
“The kingdom's role is therefore limited to encouraging all political powers to hold dialogue and come together to achieve Lebanon's higher national interest,” he remarked.
Commenting on the release of the 16 servicemen, the ambassador congratulated the people, army, and security forces on their achievement, while praising the efforts of General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim.
He hoped that today's accomplishment will be completed with the release of the remaining hostages, who are being held by the Islamic State extremist group.
Sixteen servicemen held by the al-Nusra Front were released earlier on Tuesday through a Qatari-mediated deal that included a prisoner swap with the extremist group.
They were released on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal after 15 months in captivity.
They were abducted in the wake of clashes between the army and the IS and al-Nusra Front in Arsal in August 2014.
Four of the hostages were executed, while nine are still being held by the IS.
M.T.
D.A.
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