Jubeir: Saudi Arabia Won't Interfere when Problems Arise with Aoun

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault that his country has no positions as for the presidential elections in Lebanon, al-Akhbar daily reported on Friday.

Replying to a question about the series of presidency meetings carried out by al-Mustaqbal Movement ex-PM Saad Hariri to help solve the impasse, al-Jubeir told Ayrault: “Saudi Arabia is not concerned with the steps taken by Hariri. Lebanon is Hariri's country and he is free with his choices. Besides, we will not be concerned when problems start emerging with Aoun,” diplomatic sources quoted al-Jubeir as saying.

The meeting between the two men came at the sidelines of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York late last month.

Jubeir's comments show that the presidential impasse in Lebanon is not a priority for the kingdom, having its hands full with the situation in Yemen, according to the daily.

Media reports said that Paris is in the process of moving its diplomatic efforts to keep up with the new presidential movement assumed by Hariri, mainly with Tehran.

The reports noted that contacts were held previously between Tehran and Paris demanding the facilitation of the presidential elections.

Hariri's recent return to Lebanon has triggered a flurry of rumors and media reports about a possible presidential settlement and the possibility that the former premier has finally decided to endorse Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum.

Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.

The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Comments 9
Missing constantine 07 October 2016, 09:01

The inevitable is coming. Aoun will be president.
Thank God

Missing humble 07 October 2016, 10:06

A mareedman as president? An agent? A corrupt? A khadim to Ebola? A coward? A liar? A traitor?
Can Lebanon reach such a low level???

Missing humble 07 October 2016, 10:42

Don't we have one good person in the whole Lebanon???
Wallow???

Thumb EagleDawn 07 October 2016, 10:27

al-Akhbar daily reported on Friday..... LOL!

Al Akhbar is as credible as when mowaten of iran says he is Lebanese, secular and has only one account.

Thumb Roukuz 07 October 2016, 10:46

I wonder where you are and how you are dear flamethrower as you lay in pieces and tranquility at your final resting place in Aleppo. RIP Shia Hero...

Thumb shab 07 October 2016, 15:27

"Jubeir: Saudi Arabia Won't Interfere when Problems Arise with Aoun"

So problems will arise?

Thumb chrisrushlau 07 October 2016, 18:50

I thought France had gotten rid of its king.

Default-user-icon Maher (Guest) 07 October 2016, 21:09

"Besides, we will not be concerned when problems start emerging with Aoun"

Means, we are going to create problems for Aoun, as we have constantly done in Lebanon, and sit and watch.

Missing phillipo 08 October 2016, 18:01

No matter what the subject, "bigjohn" will always find a reason for Israel to be blamed.
Why don't you wake up and realise that 99% of cthe time, all these problems are inter-Moslem, or at least Inter-Arab problems.