Report: Lebanese Businessman Deported from Saudi Arabia over Hizbullah Ties
Saudi authorities have expelled a Lebanese businessman for alleged ties with Hizbullah, a month after Riyadh announced plans to deport Lebanese who authorities accuse of supporting the Iranian-backed Shiite party, al-Akhbar newspaper reported Saturday.
Al-Akhbar said that the man, whom it did not identify, has several companies and factories that employ hundreds of individuals.
He was expelled after a tip off that he sold some properties to people with ties to Hizbullah, the daily added.
The group's backing of the Syrian regime has angered the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad.
The Gulf Cooperation Council — which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE — has said the bloc would crack down on Hizbullah members as part of a joint effort to limit the group's "financial and business transactions."
Hizbullah says the group has no business interests in the Gulf. However, there are more than half a million Lebanese working in the Gulf states, including tens of thousands in Saudi Arabia. Many are Shiites.
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