Salam to Riyadh to Ease Tension over Remarks on its War in Yemen
Prime Minister Tammam Salam is expected to head to Saudi Arabia in the upcoming few days amid a war of words between al-Mustaqbal movement and Hizbullah over Riyadh's offensive in Yemen against the Shiite Huthi rebels.
Sources said in comments published in al-Liwaa newspaper on Friday that Salam will hold talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Azizi and senior officials.
The sources added that talks will focus on the exceptional bilateral ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, in addition to the latest developments in the region, including the war in Yemen.
On Wednesday, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri emphasized his right to defend his country in the wake of the criticism against it over its military operation in Yemen, especially by Hizbullah.
Tensions recently flared between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah over Saudi airstrikes against the rebels.
The former has backed the campaign, while the latter has slammed it as blatant interference in the country's affairs.
A war of words soon ensued between the two sides, with movement chief MP Saad Hariri declaring Saudi Arabia's right to defend Arab interests against Iran, while Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah vowed that the kingdom will suffer a defeat in its mission.
Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in Yemen on March 25, announcing that it had put together a coalition of more than 10 countries, including five Gulf monarchies, for the military operation to defend Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi's government against Huthi rebels.
It said that it will continue its operation Decisive Storm until Hadi is restored to power and the rebels, backed by Iran, are defeated.
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