Is the Saudi, Lebanese relationship gone for good?
In retaliation for Hezbollah’s support of the Houthis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has launched a campaign designed to pressure Lebanon.
BEIRUT — There seems to be more to Saudi Arabia's political assault on Lebanon than first meets the eye.
As previously reported, the kingdom recently canceled its long-awaited, $4 billion arms deal to support the Lebanese army and security forces and is making a comprehensive review of its relationship with Lebanon. Also, numerous Gulf states have joined Saudi Arabia in warning their citizens not to travel to Lebanon and to leave Lebanese soil.
Riyadh cited the actions of Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Gibran Bassil — head of the Christian Free Patriotic Movement, an ally of Hezbollah — during a Jan. 10 ministerial meeting of the Arab League in Cairo. Bassil declined to condemn the early January attack on the Saudi Arabian Embassy and consulate in Iran.
However, Lebanese security sources told Al-Monitor that several reasons underlie the Saudi escalation. The sources described the Saudi campaign against Lebanon as fierce.
