Al Zayani added that members of the GCC highly regret the fact that “Lebanon’s decision-making has been taken hostage by foreign regional powers, is running against the pan-Arab security and the interests of the Arab Nation and is not representative of the people of Lebanon”.
Advertisement
“We are keen on keeping the relations brotherly and friendly”, said Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s office.
One deal involves a four-year, $US3 billion Saudi pledge to buy French arms for the Lebanese military, which already has provided the Mediterranean country with modern anti-tank guided Milan missiles last year.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced their support for a decision by Saudi Arabia to cancel $4 billion (Dh14.7bn) in military aid to the Lebanese armed forces.
Foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states pose for a group photo in Riyadh on Saturday before the start of their extraordinary meeting called to discuss the attacks on Saudi missions in Iran and its interference in the internal affairs of Arab and Gulf countries.
And he said the Iranian-backed party was “destroying Lebanon’s relations with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. The Lebanese decision is “inconsistent with the fraternal relations between the two countries and they are not taking into account their interests”.
There was no immediate confirmation of the report, and it was not clear if it was related to the Saudi decision.
“The announcement also said Saudi Arabia supported Lebanon “without any discrimination between Lebanese sects or segments”.
Saudi Arabia announced the aid cuts through a statement on the website of its state news agency, citing an unnamed Saudi official. The move came after Lebanon failed to back the Sunni kingdom in its spat with Shiite powerhouse Iran, the leading backer of Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s political scene is deeply divided, with the government split roughly between a bloc led by Hezbollah and another headed by former prime minister Saad Hariri, to which Rifi belongs.
Although the Lebanese army, which historically has been equipped by the United States and France, is generally seen as a unifying force in the country and drawing its ranks from all of Lebanon’s sects, it is widely viewed as being much weaker than the Hezbollah militant group.
An oil price at $50 a barrel is acceptable for exporters and consumers over the long term, he said.
Advertisement
Gambrell reported from Dubai.
