Asiri: Suleiman to Tackle Regional, International Developments during Visit to Saudi Arabia

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri stressed on Monday that President Michel Suleiman's visit to Saudi Arabia is not linked to the Lebanese cabinet formation or the presidency's term, which ends in May 2014.

“The visit of Suleiman is to tackle the latest regional and international developments and their impact on the situation in Lebanon,” Asiri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is seeking to maintain stability in Lebanon and to unite the political foes, stressing that all-party-talks should resume to stabilize the country amid the ongoing challenges.

Asked if Suleiman will return from Saudi Arabia and for a de-facto cabinet with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, Asiri said that “the cabinet formation is a local Lebanese affair.”

“Saudi Arabia doesn't interfere in Lebanese affairs,” he noted,

Suleiman said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Saturday that he will not discuss the government formation process during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia.

According to the newspaper's report, Suleiman is seeking to distance Saudi Arabia from local Lebanese disputes by refusing to tackle this file.

Suleiman is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah during his one-day official visit to Riyadh on Monday.

He stressed on Saturday that he will not discuss the cabinet crisis during his visit to the kingdom.

Salam has faced conditions and counter conditions set by the rival parties, failing to form his new cabinet after more than seven months of efforts.

But Salam said this week that he was still patient and optimistic that he could come up with a line-up.

Comments 9
Thumb primesuspect 11 November 2013, 07:51

ksa just like qatar once will be lebanon's savior.

Missing --karim_m1-- 11 November 2013, 08:30

"“Saudi Arabia doesn't interfere in Lebanese affairs,” he noted".

Hahahahahaha. Sorry guys, I couldn't help myself. It's just that -

Hahahahahaha.

Thumb geha 11 November 2013, 08:53

clearly the tide has changed and m8 who announced too early that they have won are now discovering that Lebanon will not be farsi, and will remain an Arab country :)
the sooner m8ers wake up and realize it the better it will be for Lebanon.

Missing --karim_m1-- 11 November 2013, 09:09

That's the issue with you February 14 Al Qaeda sympathizers, you're always trying to shove "Arabism" down Lebanon's throat. If you love Saudi Arabia and terrorism so much, pack up and go there and leave Lebanon for those who want democracy and independence.

Thumb benzona 11 November 2013, 09:20

rouh nem ya walad

Thumb geha 11 November 2013, 09:51

whether you accept it or not: this is our constitution :)
go to your farsi masters and enjoy their freedom of speech and belief :)

Default-user-icon alkhaband (Guest) 12 November 2013, 03:44

clearly? tide has changed? too early? farsi? Arab country? :)? wake up? realize it? better? for Lebanon? yawn

Thumb Abubakr 11 November 2013, 09:33

Karim 1 - I don't know how you related being proud of our Arab identity to Saudi arabia and terrorism. Here is what being proud of being Arab sounds like if you have forgotten. أنا لبناني ولي فخر بذلك، ولست بعثماني، ولي فخر بذلك أيضاً.. لي وطن أعتز بمحاسنه، ولي أمة أتباهى بمآتيها، وليس لي دولة أنتمي إليها وأحتمي بها.
أنا مسيحي ولي فخر بذلك، ولكنني أهوى النبي العربي، وأكبر اسمه، وأحب مجد الإسلام وأخشى زواله، أنا شرقي ولي فخر بذلك، ومهما أقصتني الأيام، عن بلادي أظل شرقي الأخلاق سوري الأميال، لبناني العواطف

Default-user-icon Questilio Grambalouz (Guest) 12 November 2013, 03:06

We all know already what a mover and shaker of regional and international proportions our great good-for-nothing president-by-parachute is. But thanks anyway to Asiri for re-confirming the obvious.