Asiri: Saudis Abducted, Robbed in Lebanon, Culprits Well-Known
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri on Friday revealed that Saudi citizens were recently kidnapped and robbed in Lebanon, decrying the fact that the perpetrators remained at large although they are “well-known.”
“Some Saudis were kidnapped and robbed in Lebanon and the perpetrators were identified but have not been arrested until the moment,” Asiri said in an interview on MTV.
“I’m speaking now and there is a Saudi man who was robbed of $250,000 and the culprits have been identified but they are still on the loose,” he added.
Asked about the kingdom’s recent warning to its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon, the Saudi envoy said: “It is enough for any Saudi official to observe the kidnap operations in Lebanon in order to advise Saudis to go to other places with their children.”
Separately, the Saudi ambassador stressed that his country’s support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon is limited to “humanitarian aid, such as equipping hospitals and providing shelter.”
The Saudi foreign ministry issued on Monday a travel restriction advisory to Lebanon, the official SPA news agency said.
“Due to the unstable security situation in Lebanon, the foreign ministry warns its citizens against traveling to Lebanon to maintain their safety, until further notice,” an unidentified high-ranking official in the ministry told the news agency.
Asiri told the National News Agency that the travel warning to Lebanon is due to the recent security incidents including the burning of tires and blocking of roads.
“The kingdom is keen on not jeopardizing the safety of its citizens,” Asiri told the news agency.
He urged the political forces in Lebanon to exert efforts to preserve stability and security in the country.
Asked how the Saudi authorities’ decision would affect the Lebanese tourism season, Asiri said that “the intention behind this decision isn’t to harm Lebanon, but the safety of the Saudis is a priority for the Saudi leadership.”
The warning coincides with the tourist season in Lebanon, a major summer destination for nationals from the oil-rich Gulf region.
Lebanon has recently witnessed a series of incidents across the country and along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
In May, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait advised their citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and urged their nationals currently present in the country to leave due to the unstable security situation.
over 12 years
Bravo , you are right
over 12 years
Akeed FT/Mowaten...
over 12 years
this could be a setup case - a business deal of some sort- he may have been lured or plainly robbed in his place of residence. He doesn't have to be walking around with this kind of money.
I am not a pro saudi or pro whatever, it just doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that lebanon is a lawless state with a government within another. I could only tell the shiite of lebanon and aoun that if this is their vision of lebanon, we are doomed.
over 12 years
i dont understand how the culprits are not arrested if they are identified. HA, with all its defaults is trying to gain legitimacy amongst lebanese. They would be stupid if they protect a common thief to gain 250000 usd! ha should give their weapons, but we cannot inpute eache problem in lebanon on them.
over 12 years
Ya a3mi , they are trying to show Saudi that the warning ( not to go to Lebanon ) is serious . Saudi Tourist have always been coming to Lebanon and nothing has ever happen why now ?
over 12 years
well said mr ambassador!!! “It is enough for any Saudi official to observe the kidnap operations in Lebanon in order to advise Saudis to go to other places with their children.”
who else besides the shiaa and syrian thugs commit such murders?
over 12 years
It was a robbery! Where did you see murder?
over 12 years
I went to New York a few years ago, And they robbed me of 1000$, and I felt the police in connivance with the theives. I should get the lebanese gouvernment to put a travel advisory against lebanese visiting New York state. And New Jersey. And California. NO. Let them do a travel advisory against the whole north america. Because it is not safe there.
over 12 years
your government wont dare put a travel advisory on the USA, including the hisbullah government which considers the USA satan! also you must be a jahish if you got robbed in new york (assuming you even got robbed) and should stay in your village grazing your sheep
over 12 years
of course, this goes without saying. But the saudi gouverment should not hold the whole country hostage if our politics are not 100 percent aligned with them!
over 12 years
the saudi government is doing what it thinks is right for their own people. it should be expected of every country to do the same in such circumstances. if lebanese politicians had the same priorities in mind, maybe we wouldnt be in such a mess
over 12 years
for once, i have to agree with you. Looking for more moments like this one.
over 12 years
saudi government is not holding anyone as hostage. their citizens spend lots of money in lebanon and keep the tourist sector afloat and if they can come to lebanon and feel safe then they have duty to advise them against traveling to lebanon. some countries value their citizens more than others!
over 12 years
What you believe doesn't matter.
over 12 years
Actually what he believes does matter. Who do you think you are telling people that what they believe doesn't matter?
over 12 years
Who else but Hariri Mafia knows so well how to fleece and rob people? NOBODY.
over 12 years
Saudis are trying to undermine Mikati Government
Whole Lebanon depends on tourism, it is a major part of the economy.
This is a message to HA, FP, Berri and Mikati
over 12 years
kiserwanyaseel i have to tell you that it is wrong to generalize, not all the shia in lebanon are the tails of syria there are brave shia who dare confronting Hezbollah even more than other sects, i would site Tayyar al Kafaat, i would site Moufti Sour and Jabal Aamel... and many others
over 12 years
I find it hard to believe the story of this Ali. He gave no name of the alleged victims nor he gave reasons for a Saudi carrying in his/her pocket $250,000. Most probably his story is a fabrication that has pernicious political aims.
over 12 years
How about you all go and get a real job. This country would be better off if you channeled your energy to something more productive.
over 12 years
But then they were treated like royalty when they were mounted from behind by a wild donkey.
over 12 years
who told you about Saudi Arabia, have you ever visited this country, I have like so many, this point of view comes only from the urge of finding a counterbalance of accepting the terror of Iran , revolution guards and hizb , that is how you invent (wahabi, s3oudi, salafi and so on), wake up please , or it will be too late
Yeah, the saudi man was walking around with 250,000USD in cash in his pocket, and suddenly, a well known thief strips him of his money... The security forces would not arrest this thief who by stealing a quarter million dollar lowered the 2012 growth of lebanon by a percentage point. and put 100s of people out of work. Can someone explain the scenario again?
I am sorry about the incidents. but something is fishy here.