Saudi Daily Says Riyadh Still Has 'Cards to Play' in Lebanon
Saudi newspaper Okaz warned Hizbullah on Sunday that the kingdom “still has legal, political and economic cards to play in the Lebanese arena.”
“The Lebanese cannot live under the rule of a statelet within the state,” the daily added.
“Whether (Prime Minister Saad) Hariri returns or not, that is not the issue. The issue is Iran's exit from Lebanon and ending the hijacking of Lebanon,” Okaz said.
Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in a surprising and pre-recorded statement from Saudi Arabia. In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage. He also said he feared for his life.
In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest.
President Michel Aoun has urged Saudi Arabia to explain why Hariri had not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation, while Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has openly accused the kingdom of "forcing" the premier to resign and "detaining" him.
Hizbullah's critics have meanwhile called for addressing the political content of Hariri's resignation announcement and not the unusual manner in which the resignation was declared.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait have asked their citizens to leave Lebanon and there are fears that the kingdom and its allies could expel hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who work in the Gulf countries.
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