Asiri Meets Hariri, Stresses Need for 'Constructive' Solutions to Crises

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri held talks on Wednesday with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri, who stressed the need for dialogue among the rival Lebanese factions.

He said: “We are counting on inter-Lebanese dialogue to reach constructive solutions given the difficult regional and international situation.”

He highlighted the depth of Saudi-Lebanese ties and the kingdom's keenness on the unity of the Lebanese people.

“We hope to see our brothers in Lebanon working for the sake of the higher interests of this fraternal country,” Asiri stated.

The kingdom has encouraged and still encourages any serious initiative that would end the presidential vacuum in the country, added the ambassador.

Furthermore, he remarked: “The warmth in ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia has not faded and no one can deny the historic ties that cannot be tarnished.”

The Saudi leadership's support for Lebanon and its people will continue, he vowed.

The kingdom earlier this year halted a grant to the Lebanese army in wake of virulent criticism made by Hizbullah against Riyadh and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil's abstention from voting in favor of Arab resolutions condemning attacks against the Saudi embassy in Iran.

Riyadh also issued travel advisories for its citizens, urging them against traveling to Lebanon.

Gulf countries also adopted similar measures.

M.T.

Y.R.