Asiri Slams al-Rahi's Caricature: It Doesn't Represent Saudi Arabia's Stance
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri slammed on Friday a caricature published in the Saudi al-Watan newspaper criticizing Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's visit to Syria.
“The caricature doesn't depict the kingdom's stance from al-Rahi,” Asiri told the state-run National News Agency.
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has nothing but “all respect” for al-Rahi and all the other religious figures.
Asiri said that the caricature “is an individual work and the responsibility falls on its owner.”
The diplomat also held on Friday a meeting with General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi.
“The meeting tackled the caricature published in the Saudi newspaper... Asiri strongly condemned it,” a statement issued by Madi's press office said.
On Wednesday, media reports said that attorney Wadih Aql filed a criminal complaint against the newspaper's publisher, its editor-in-chief and the caricaturist, Jihad Awrati.
The lawyer accused them of slandering the patriarch and inciting strife and racism.
“I am certain that al-Rahi knows the moderate approach by Saudi Arabia, which enjoys good ties with the Lebanese Christians,” Asiri told the news agency.
The caricature replaced al-Rahi's mitre with a rocket and highlighted the common letters between the patriarch and the Syrian president's names in Arabic.
The depiction was met with anger and criticism on social media websites.
Al-Rahi visited Damascus over the weekend.
Asiri pointed out that the stances taken by Lebanese politicians and religious figures are local Lebanese affairs.
“Saudi Arabia only wishes for Lebanon to have stability, security and prosperity,” the diplomat added.
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