Saudis increasingly frustrated with Lebanon
The Saudis, who aspire to expand their status in the Gulf, are growing ever more frustrated with Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia is not happy with Lebanon or its failure to control the Islamist militant group Hezbollah, and it's making its displeasure clear. What’s not known is what it will take to appease Riyadh.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 23 asked its citizens not to travel to Lebanon, for their own safety. It has also asked citizens residing in or visiting Lebanon to leave, unless they absolutely have to stay.
This stance persists despite attempts by the Lebanese government and others to convince Riyadh to reconsider its Feb. 19 decision to cancel $4 billion in military aid to Lebanon.
Riyadh said it is protesting Lebanese Foreign Minister of Affairs Gebran Bassil’s stance during a Jan. 10 ministerial meeting of the Arab League. Bassil refrained from condemning the recent attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy and its consulate in Iran. Lebanon has a long-standing policy of distancing itself from external conflicts.
