Middle East News
Saudi Arabia calls on its nationals to leave Lebanon immediately
Mar 1, 2008, 17:12 GMT
Beirut - Saudi Arabia Saturday called on its nationals living in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, a Lebanese television report said.
Future Television, privately owned by Saad Hariri who heads the majority anti-Syrian bloc in parliament, said Saudi Arabia had advised its nationals to leave Lebanon 'as soon as possible.'
There was no one available at the Saudi embassy to comment on the report. On February 18, Saudi Arabia issued a travel restriction advisory, urging citizens to avoid Lebanon because of the 'unstable' security situation in the country.
The move was adopted after some factions of the Hezbollah-led opposition have accused Saudi Arabia of blocking a settlement to the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon. It also followed sharp verbal attacks by pro-Syrian figures against Saudi officials.
The anti-Syrian majority coalition blames Syria and Iran for obstructing a settlement in Lebanon.
Observers have said major Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Gulf states, might boycott the forthcoming Arab Summit scheduled for March 29 in Damascus if the Lebanese crisis persisted.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria have been deteriorating since the assassination of Lebanese ex-Premier Rafik Hariri by a powerful blast that targeted his motorcade in Beirut in 2005. Syria has been widely blamed - a charge Damascus denies.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
instability....courtesy of the Hezzbollah, the Lebanese should thank them for the mysery. Yeesh...Lebanon was doing so well to recover from the civil war, till the Iranians starting to brainwashing a few retarded relegious zealots into confrontation with Israel.
page: 1
waine UKMar 1st, 2008 - 19:10:21
The Saudis and the rest of the Arab leaders will do what they are told by Bush and Olmert. Seems to me the Saudis might have prior notice of an intended invasion into the Lebanon by the Israelies, treacherous so and sos'.
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