Asiri Accuses Nasrallah of Distorting Facts: His Speech Reflects Confusion of Sides he Represents
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri condemned on Sunday the latest speech of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, accusing him of misleading the public and defaming the kingdom.
He said in a statement: “His speech reflects the confusion of the sides he represents.”
“It defamed Saudi Arabia and included several fallacies aimed at distorting the facts and misleading the public,” he added.
Addressing the situation in Yemen, he noted: “The steps taken by the government of King Salman throughout the past period, and in coordination with the United Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council, demonstrate its honest intention in reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis in Yemen in a manner that would preserve its unity and safety of its people.”
“However the sides that are supporting Nasrallah and mobilizing the Huthis do not wish well for Yemen,” Asiri remarked of the Shiite rebel Huthi movement that is backed by Iran, Hizbullah's key backer.
“These sides were behind the obstruction of agreements on Yemen and forced the security situation to deteriorate,” he noted.
On the Palestinian cause, Asiri added: “Neither Nasrallah, nor any other side can challenge Saudi Arabia in what it has presented towards it over decades.”
“Saudi Arabia still provides various support to the Palestinian people, because it is its cause and the central Arab cause,” he stressed.
“It is therefore a great wonder that those who claim to support the Palestinian cause are politically manipulating it and working tirelessly in order to fragment Palestinian factions and turn them against each other,” Asiri said.
The ambassador also accused these sides of obstructing “every honest attempt or agreement that favors the Palestinian people and state.”
Nasrallah had questioned during a televised speech on Friday what Saudi Arabia had presented to the Palestinian cause, saying: “It is painful that over the decades the Palestinian people and those of the region did not witness a 'Firmness Storm' to confront Israel.”
He made the remark in reference to the Saudi-led military operation in Yemen, dubbed “Firmness Storm”, aimed at restoring President Abdrabbo Mansur Hadi in power and ending the revolt of Shiite Huthi rebels.
“Why weren't such efforts used to regain Palestinian land?” wondered Nasrallah.
Turning to the Lebanese scene, Asiri said: “Saudi Arabia does not adopt double standards and has repeatedly stated that the presidential elections are a strictly Lebanese affair.”
“It does not meddle in naming candidates, but it supports whoever the Lebanese officials agree upon,” he continued.
“Nasrallah's accusation that Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal is implicated in the presidential deadlock is an attempt at throwing dust in the eyes of the people and divert attention from the fact that Hizbullah, its allies, and regional backers are, according to the Lebanese people, responsible for obstructing the polls,” he declared.
“The positions of Saudi Arabia are clear and honest and do not need the testimony of any side,” Asiri stated.
“These stances are backed by actions that are appreciated by the Arab and Islamic people,” he remarked.
“If only some sides would adopt the wisdom of the kingdom's leaders and their keenness on the Arab and Islamic ummahs … instead of seeking to strike Arab unity, mislead the people, and manipulate its causes,” the ambassador said.
Nasrallah had accused Faisal of “placing a veto on the natural presidential candidate who represents the majority of Christians in Lebanon.”
Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.
M.T.
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