Saudi Urges Nationals in Lebanon to Abide by GCC Decision
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri confirmed on Sunday that his country urged Saudi national present in Lebanon to comply with the Gulf Cooperation Council decision.
“The embassy called in text messages on Saudi citizens in Lebanon to abide by the GCC decision to inform them of Saudi concerns over their security and safety,” Asiri said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.
Asked if the text messages sent by the embassy to Saudi nationals in Lebanon would have a negative impact on Lebanon's summer season, the diplomat said: “If the Lebanese state announces that it bears the responsibility of stability in the country then the nationals are free to take the decision they want.”
Asiri pointed out that “Saudi King Abdullah is keen to maintain Lebanon's stability and security.”
The GCC urged on Wednesday their citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon and called on their nationals, who are already in the country, to leave it.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates took the decision based on the current unstable situation in Lebanon.
Although Lebanon has officially adopted a position of neutrality in Syria's war, its people are sharply divided with Hizbullah and its allies backing President Bashar Assad's regime and the March 14 coalition supports the rebellion.
Syria's civil war has exacerbated sectarian tensions in Lebanon and its security situation has deteriorated due to various groups intervention in battles in the neighboring country.
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