Hariri: Hizbullah-FPM are to Blame for Saudi Aid Suspension
Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri held Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement responsible for the Saudi military aid halt, reiterating that fiery rhetoric targeting Saudi Arabia is totally rejected and does not represent Lebanon's policy.
“Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement are to blame for the suspension in Saudi aid,” said Hariri after a meeting he held with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan at Dar el-Fatwa on Saturday.
“Lebanon must put its position straight regarding the attacks that targeted the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran. Fiery statements offending the Kingdom are rejected and do not represent the policy of Lebanon,” he added.
“Khameni himself has apologized for the assault while (Foreign Minister Jebran) Bassil distanced himself,” Hariri pointed out.
Saudi Arabia said Friday it has halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hizbullah's policies and recent diplomatic stances by the Lebanese foreign ministry.
In light of positions taken by Hizbullah the kingdom proceeded to “a total evaluation of its relations with the Lebanese republic," an unnamed official told the Saudi Press Agency yesterday.
Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran last month after demonstrators stormed its embassy and a consulate following the Saudi execution of a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric and activist, Nimr al-Nimr.
The official cited by Saudi Press Agency said Lebanon had not joined condemnation of the attacks on Saudi Arabia's diplomatic missions in Iran, neither at the Arab League nor at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He also deplored the "political and media campaigns inspired by Hizbullah against Saudi Arabia," as well as what he called the group's "terrorist acts against Arab and Muslim nations."
Source: Naharnet
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