Saudi Crown Prince to French Officials: Riyadh Fears Army Grant Could Land in Hizbullah's Hands
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef paid a visit earlier this week to France where he defended to French officials the kingdom's decision to halt its grant to the Lebanese army, accusing Iran of extending its influence in the region to Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.
A high-ranking official told the daily that the kingdom fears that arms grant would land in the hands of Hizbullah “given that the party's control over the military is increasing day by day.”
The crown prince however explained that Riyadh still values it ties with Lebanon and that it will “continue to help it on the economic level and in assisting it take in Syrian refugees.”
The Saudi official had met on his trip with French President Francois Holland, Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The source revealed to al-Hayat that Hollande and other officials had stressed to Prince Nayef the need to “leave the door open” to unfreeze the army grant “if the Lebanese authorities took the initiative.”
They emphasized the need to continue on helping the military.
Saudi Arabia halted in February an aid grant worth billions of dollars that was dedicated to the Lebanese army and security forces in protest against Hizbullah's virulent criticism of the kingdom and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil's abstention from voting in favor of Arab League resolutions condemning attacks against the Saudi embassy in Iran in January.
The deal was to be funded by Saudi Arabia with France providing the equipment.
Riyadh then issued a travel advisory to its citizens against heading to Lebanon.
Gulf states soon followed suit before blacklisting Hizbullah as a terrorist group.
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