BEIRUT: Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Lebanon will not change under King Salman, both Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri confirmed over the weekend.
“There is no sign or cause to think that Saudi Arabia will change its policies toward Lebanon as the kingdom holds all the respect and appreciation to Lebanon and the Lebanese people,” Salam told his visitors Sunday.
Salam, Speaker Nabih Berri and a large delegation of ministers and MPs joined hundreds of world leaders and dignitaries in Riyadh to offer their condolences for the passing away of King Abdullah.
Salam said Saudi Arabia was a strong supporter of Lebanon’s security and stability and has made generous contributions in that realm, notably by granting the Lebanese Army $3 billion toward the purchase of equipment from France to buttress the capabilities of the military.
In the summer of 2014, King Abdullah granted another $1 billion to the Army and all other Lebanese security services to boost their capabilities in their fight against terrorism.
Lebanese Army commander Jean Kahwagi flew to Riyadh Sunday to pay his respects.
Also, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt traveled to Riyadh Sunday to pay condolences, heading a PSP delegation that included his son Taymour.
Salam said Saudi Arabia was a solid and strong state which plays a key role in Lebanon and the region.
“Saudi Arabia’s role is present and ongoing,” he added. “We wish King Salman all the best and our relationship with the [new] Saudi leadership is solid and continuous.”
In addition to the official Lebanese delegation, and upon the invitation of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, a large delegation made of Lebanese MPs, politicians, Islamic and Christian religious leaders, businessmen and journalists traveled to Riyadh Saturday to offer their condolences for the passing of King Abdullah.
The delegation included among others former President Michel Sleiman, former President Amine Gemayel, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and his wife MP Strida Geagea.
According to a statement issued by Hariri’s media office, the members of the delegation and Hariri headed to the Royal Court, where they offered their condolences to King Salman and to the Crown Prince Muqrin and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef.
Hariri met during the condolences with Berri and Salam. He also shook hands with a number of heads of Arab and foreign delegations, including the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and Dubai Governor Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The delegation later visited Hariri at his residence in Riyadh where he held a dinner in their honor. Discussions tackled the political situation in Lebanon and the region, according to the statement.
Echoing Salam, Asiri, who received condolences over the weekend from hundreds of Lebanese at the Mohammad al-Amine Mosque in Downtown Beirut after the death of King Abdullah, said Riyadh’s policy toward Lebanon would not change and support would continue with the new rule.
The ambassador told a local radio station Sunday that the late King Abdullah had “sensed the threat to Lebanon” and believed that only its people and its Army could preserve the country.
“This belief led him to pledge $3 billion to the Lebanese Army that when implemented would make it one of the strongest armies in the region,” the ambassador said.
Saudi Arabia and France signed a $3 billion grant last November aimed at further equipping the Lebanese Army for its fight with jihadis in the north and along its border with war-torn Syria.
King Abdullah passed away late Friday at the age of 90 and was succeeded by his half-brother Salman.
Kahwagi, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt and U.S. Ambassador David Hale were among those who paid their respects over the king’s passing at the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque Sunday.
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