Saad al-Hariri
Photo: Reuters
Gulf state official charges Hariri-Hezbollah collusion
Speaking in an interview with Al-Hayat newspaper, a Gulf state official accuses Lebanese prime minister and president of closing ranks with Hezbollah-Iranian axis, acquiescing with all their demands under the guise of 'domestic harmony'; 'Hezbollah cannot be allowed to operate in the shadows.'
A Gulf state official has strongly criticized Lebanon’s Saad al-Hariri—who announced his surprise resignation Saturday while in Saudi Arabia—accusing him of being in cahoots with the Iranian-Hezbollah axis and sanctioning its entry into Lebanon.
According to a report published Friday in the Al-Hayat newspaper, the official said “It cannot be that the Lebanese prime minister validates the policies of Iran and Hezbollah. The new election law in Lebanon is exactly what Hezbollah and the Lebanese President Michel Aoun wanted.”
The official also cited Samir Geagea, a Christian Lebanese politician and staunch opponent of Hezbollah, as an example of a politician who is able to stand up to the terror group.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Saad al-Hariri (Photo: EPA, AFP)
“There is a man like Samir Geagea and he has representation in the government. His positions was firmer than Hariri’s and he didn't agree to anything that served the interests of Hezbollah,” the official was quoted as saying.
“Hezbollah cannot be allowed to operate in the shadows. It has succeeded so far in operating as it wishes and has been lent legitimate cover provided by the Lebanese president, the prime ministers and the parliamentary chairmen,” he added. “A seal of approval cannot be given to Hezbollah in any matter.”
The official then urged the Lebanese president to focus more on Christian interests.
“The Lebanese President Michel Aoun must to pay attention to the interests of the Christians opposed to what Hezbollah is imposing on them. In addition, the Sunni interests are not reconcilable with what Hezbollah is doing. Hariri and Aoun are following Hezbollah’s interests using national harmony as an excuse.”
The official also added that Aoun visited Saudi Arabia at the beginning of his term but it became clear shortly thereafter that he was tying his political fate to Hezbollah on a string of issues.
(Photo: EPA)
“We can’t agree to being asked to preserve Lebanese stability and ignore our own stability in the shadow of Iranian policy which undermines it from Lebanon,” he stated, imploring Lebanon to remain neutral rather than throwing its lot in with Iran and Hezbollah.
“Lebanon should know that it was better for it when it stayed neutral. It has gone in the direction of the Iranian axis which is represented by Hezbollah and I hope that our message is clear that Lebanon should remain neutral,” the official said.
Regarding the possibility of a regional war resulting from recent events, the official said he was hopeful that such an outcome could be avoided.
“I hope not, but the bombing of the King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile by the Iranians was done in this context,” he charged.
Despite his criticism, the official expressed doubt that the Gulf states would impose a boycott on Lebanon, but warned of the inherent dangers of Hariri’s current strategy.
“The way things are being managed by Hariri’s government are unacceptable because they have led to an agreement on everything Hezbollah wants at a minimal price and accepting this reality is a mistaken strategy. It is true that the situation in the region is difficult, but that doesn't mean that (Hariri) can accept everything Hezbollah wants. This has to change,” he concluded.
