Asiri Meets Suleiman, Renews Support to National Dialogue

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri said Friday that Saudi King Abdullah encourages Lebanese national dialogue.

Following his meeting with President Michel Suleiman, Asiri conveyed King Abdullah’s keenness on the “fraternal and historical relationship with Lebanon and all its groups and sects,” National News Agency reported.

“King Abdullah is keen on Lebanon’s security and stability through maintaining its sovereignty and national unity,” the statement added.

Asiri said that the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques encourages all-party talks, motivated by his brotherly ties with Lebanon and his keenness on the country and its loving people.”

Regarding the practical aspect of the dialogue, including its timing and topics of discussion, as well as the positions of the political groups concerning participation, the Saudi Ambassador said that “such issues only concern Lebanon, because they are purely internal affairs, which the kingdom does not interfere with.”

Asiri stated that “the role of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom is limited to encouraging dialogue, but the remaining steps are the responsibility of the Lebanese people.”

The statement stressed on the Saudi support for Lebanese people, pointing out that “this position represents the essence of the Saudi brotherly role, which only seeks welfare and progress for Lebanon.”

“We hope that Lebanon and its people will be able to overcome the regional events, and that it will cross towards sustainable security, and stability.”

President Michel Suleiman held talks with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah on Friday, more than a week after the monarch announced his support for the National Dialogue that the Lebanese head of state had called for.

King Abdullah said in a letter he sent to Suleiman on May 22 that the kingdom is monitoring the situation in Lebanon with “deep concern.”