Mashnouq: We're Reevaluating Presence in Govt., Dialogue, More Arab States May Join GCC Measures
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq warned Thursday that al-Mustaqbal movement is “reevaluating” its presence in the government, the national dialogue sessions and the bilateral dialogue with Hizbullah, after a series of Saudi measures against Lebanon sparked a new standoff in the country with the Hizbullah-led camp.
“I'm in favor of suspending the bilateral dialogue with Hizbullah,” said Mashnouq in an interview with LBCI television.
“Who said that we will stay in this government? We are currently reevaluating our presence in the government, in the dialogue with Hizbullah and in the national dialogue sessions,” he added, in response to a question.
Riyadh has taken a series of measures in recent days in response to verbal attacks from Hizbullah over the wars in Syria and Yemen as well as recent diplomatic stances by Lebanon's foreign ministry.
The measures started last Friday when the Saudi foreign ministry announced that the kingdom was halting around $4 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army and security forces.
On Tuesday, the kingdom advised its citizens against travel to Lebanon and urged those already in the country to leave it, citing “safety” concerns. The rest of the Arab Gulf countries except for Oman followed suit on Tuesday and Wednesday, issuing similar travel warnings.
And on Thursday, media reports said around 90 Lebanese citizens have been fired from their jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Announcing the Saudi aid halt on Friday, an official said the kingdom had noticed "hostile Lebanese positions resulting from the stranglehold of Hizbullah on the state."
“The 'Death to the House of Saud' slogan is an attack against Lebanon,” Mashnouq told LBCI, referring to a slogan that has been chanted during recent Hizbullah rallies.
The minister also accused Hizbullah of having trained Iran-linked militants who have been allegedly captured in several countries across the world.
“Iranian revolutionary guard terrorist cells that were captured in eight countries comprised members who were trained in Lebanon” at the hands of Hizbullah, Mashnouq declared.
“What do we have to do with Kenya, Kuwait or Nigeria? Why would the resistance play a role in these countries and to serve which project?” he asked.
“What is the purpose of the arms depots in Nigeria? Who has tasked us to defend the Bahraini opposition or to plot coups in Kuwait and other countries?” added Mashnouq.
Turning to the Saudi and Gulf measures against Lebanese interests, the minister warned that “more Arab countries might join the Gulf countries in the confrontation against Lebanon and we might see an Arab summit in this regard.”
“Lebanon cannot withstand this policy and no one has tasked us to reform the Saudi regime,” he cautioned, referring to recent Hizbullah stances.
“A 'shock policy' is being used with Lebanon and I hope it will wake everyone up,” Mashnouq added, referring to the Saudi and Gulf measures.
Y.R.
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