Asiri: We Won't Allow ISIL to Impose itself on Lebanon

Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri stressed om Sunday that Lebanon's stability and security “should be a red line,” reported Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

He told the radio: “We will not allow the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or any other group to impose itself on decisions in Lebanon.”

“We hope that the unrest that was witnessed in the northeastern town of Arsal will not be repeated in any other region in Lebanon,” he added.

“This unrest should prompt Lebanese unity to fortify the country,” said the ambassador.

“National unity alone will protect Lebanon and preserve its stability,” he stressed.

Clashes broke out on August 2 between the army and Islamist gunmen in the northeastern border town of Arsal in wake of the arrest of a prominent member of al-Nusra Front, Imad Jomaa.

A number of soldiers were killed and wounded in the unrest that ended with a ceasefire on August 7.

The gunmen withdrew from the town, but abducted a number of soldiers and security forces.

Asked about any possible dialogue in the future between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, Asiri replied: “Saudi Arabia welcomes and encourages the Lebanese political powers to hold dialogue and reach agreements that favor Lebanon's interest.”

“Dialogue and communication is needed among all the Lebanese in order to discuss the constitutional deadlines that will help restore normalcy in the country,” he stated.

“Direct and constructive dialogue, in any form, will benefit Lebanon in the short and long terms,” he emphasized to VDL (93.3).

The pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported last week that a meeting between head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri and Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is not on the agenda of the former premier.

The meeting between the two officials will not be held any time soon as the rift with Hizbullah is still acute.

Circles close to Hariri told the newspaper that the sharp differences with Hizbullah, in particular regarding its involvement in battles in neighboring country Syria and the negative repercussions of the party's decision, is the main reason for the wide gap between the two leaders.