Asiri: Relations Must not be Sacrificed, No Measures Against Lebanese Expats

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri stressed on Friday that he has no knowledge of measures taken by his country against Lebanese expats working in the Kingdom and assured that the relations between the two countries must not be scarified in favor of another state's will.

“Until this moment I have no knowledge about measures taken against Lebanese expatriates. Reports that around 90 were deported because they were not given residency permits stemmed from Lebanon,” Asiri said in a televised interview on OTV.

On Thursday, reports said that dozens of Lebanese employees have been fired from their jobs in Saudi Arabia, amid an unprecedented rift in the Saudi-Lebanese relations.

Expressing appreciation for Lebanese figures who visited the embassy in Beirut in a position of solidarity with the Kingdom, he said: “Two successive errors were made against the Kingdom in two Arab forums. We hope this fault is addressed wisely and courageously.”

Saudi Arabia halted last week a $4 billion grant to the Lebanese military to review its diplomatic relations with Lebanon. The stance came after Lebanon's foreign ministry declined to vote in favor of Saudi-backed resolutions against Iran during two meetings of Arab and Muslim foreign ministers.

Asiri declined to comment on the position of Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil at the two said meetings and that his it was perfectly coordinated with PM Tammam Salam adhering to the ministerial statement, he said: “I will not go into details about what goes on between Lebanese politicians, this in not my responsibility. All I can say is that the stances were not clear. My job here is to seek and preserve the best relations.”

On the calls of Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq for the need to file an apology, Asiri said: “I will not comment on that. I only analyze and leave the solution for others to find. Lebanese politicians are qualified to analyze the problem and find an appropriate solution because the relations between the two countries are worth a sacrifice to move forward.”

He pointed out that he relayed a message by PM Tammam Salam to Saudi King Salman and that the reply will probably be announced by the end of the week.

On reports that Saudi Airlines has stopped its flights to Lebanon, the Ambassador said: “We have no instructions to stop the flights. But there is an economic outlook to that. The company itself might stop its trips to Beirut if there were no Saudis traveling. But there are no official directions on that.”

On Tuesday, the kingdom advised its citizens against travel to Lebanon and urged those already in the country to leave it, citing “safety” concerns. The rest of the Arab Gulf countries except for Oman followed suit on Tuesday and Wednesday, issuing similar travel warnings.

Asked whether the Lebanese army was being punished for what happened, he said: “We should not be surprised by the reply. The Kingdom has a record of continued support to the institutions, the State and the army and has been met with public denial in Arab forums.

“I myself ask why, and all of Lebanon must ask as well. Why? To satisfy who? Taking a position in support of a non-Arab country with no common interests with the Lebanese? We have to conduct a comparison here.”

“If we look at the Arab belonging and the mutual interests between the Kingdom, Gulf states, Lebanon and the interests of the Lebanese themselves, I ask here if the other party is practicing the same generosity and relations with this country? How many Lebanese are there in that country that you are trying to please? All of this made the Saudi anger grow even bigger and needs to be rectified.

“We and Lebanon are brethren countries with a long historic path that we are honored by. It is not right to sacrifice the relationship for a country which is no way comparable. The comparison is zero,” he concluded.

D.A.

G.K.