Asiri Meets Aoun, Urges Political Powers to Resume Dialogue to Resolve Disputes
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri stressed on Tuesday the kingdom's “unwavering” support for Lebanon, saying that the country does not meddle in Lebanese affairs.
He said: “We urge political powers in Lebanon to resume dialogue in order to resolve disputes.”
He made his statements after holding talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun at Rabieh.
“We urge wise leaderships to help bridge the gap between the rival parties,” added the ambassador.
“We agreed with Aoun on a number of national issues and he is welcome to visit the kingdom,” said Asiri.
Prior to his visit to the MP, the ambassador slammed Hizbullah's behavior that is against the Lebanese and Lebanon's best interests, pointing out that it leads to further division and endangers the country.
“A wide range of the Lebanese and the Shiite sect reject Hizbullah's actions in Lebanon and abroad,” Asiri told the state-run National News Agency.
Aoun is allied with the party.
The ambassador called on Hizbullah to reconsider its policies, which harm Sunnis and other sects, as the Lebanese are bound to coexist together.
He urged Hizbullah to launch dialogue with its foes instead of further “escalating tension and discrimination.”
“The critical stage that Lebanon is passing through requires a large amount of wisdom,” Asiri said.
He also called on media outlets to end sectarian mobilization.
Asiri expressed concern over the security incidents that have taken place in various areas in Lebanon, attributing them to “Hizbullah's involvement in the Syrian conflict.
He stressed that Saudi King Abdullah is keen on maintaining Lebanon's stability and unity.
The monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council decided on June 10 to impose sanctions on alleged members of Hizbullah, targeting their residency permits and financial and business activities in reprisal for the group's armed intervention in Syria.
The GCC is made up of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
The Syrian military has gained momentum after seizing the town of Qusayr last month with the help of Hizbullah fighters, capturing villages on the roads linking Damascus to the border area with Lebanon.
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