Asiri: Lebanon Must Work on Preventing its Slide to Where it Does Not Belong
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri stated that it is now up to the Lebanese to cooperate to return the country “to its brothers who have long stood by it,” reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in wake of the kingdom's decision to halt aid to the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces.
He told the daily: “The Lebanese should work against their country's slide to where it does not belong.”
“Lebanon's natural place is among its brothers” in the Arab world, he stressed.
“The picture has become clear now in that some sides want to destroy Lebanon, while others are keen on preserving it,” remarked Asiri.
“We have grown aware in the past two days of those who seek their country's interests and those who want to drag it back,” he said.
Saudi Arabia said on Friday that 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.
The move brought widespread condemnation from the March 14 alliance against Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement, whose leader is Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/202664 |