Kataeb Laments Lebanon's Weak Showing at Riyadh Summit

The Kataeb Party on Monday lamented the circumstances of Lebanon's participation in the landmark Islamic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a statement issued after its political bureau's weekly meeting, Kataeb cited the invitation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri instead of President Michel Aoun to a summit meant for heads of state in addition to “not informing the Lebanese delegation of the content of the closing statement and the omission of Lebanon's official speech at the summit.”

“This is a direct result of the ruling political class' surrender to the approach of (Hizbullah's) weapons and its submission to a regional axis instead of its abiding by Lebanon's neutrality and sovereignty,” the party added.

It warned that “this could indicate the beginning of Lebanon's departure from international legitimacy, which would leave dangerous repercussions on the political and economic situations in the country.”