Moqbel Knew of Saudi Decision on Lebanon since Monday

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel was aware of Saudi Arabia's decision to halt aid to the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces since Monday, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

He told the daily that, at the time, he had not received official confirmation of the decision, but French figures had relayed the news to him on Monday when he was visiting Cyprus.

He was told that Saudi Arabia had requested that he stop working on the grant deal, but it seems that Prime Minister Tammam Salam was not aware of these developments, said the daily.

Lebanon has not received official confirmation of Saudi Arabia's decision, but the premier's circles noted that he was “disappointed” with the current state of affairs in spite of the fact that Lebanon had repeatedly sought to clarify its stances.

Salam's circles did not reveal whether he will call cabinet to convene next week in order to tackle Riyadh's stand.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that it has halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hizbullah's policies and recent diplomatic stances by the Lebanese foreign ministry.