Saudis attribute offensive to Hizbullah's rogue 'adventure'

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Comments from a Saudi official made Thursday that the people should distinguish between legitimate resistance and dangerous adventurism by some parties without cooperation from their governments and the Arab states represented a major shift in the kingdom's position regarding the escalating violence in Lebanon.

A ministerial source in Beirut said Lebanon had been informed of the Saudi position during a telephone call Wednesday between Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

The source added that the Saudi stand reflected the position of the Gulf countries, which have reservations regarding the respective political positions of Hamas and Hizbullah, both of which are supported by Syria and Iran.

The Gulf states also believe the ongoing Israeli siege of Lebanon is due to an "unpredicted adventure" led by Hizbullah, which took place without the consent of the Lebanese government.

The Gulf states are of the opinion that certain parties are carrying out actions that suit their allies' interests, and then ask the Arab countries to help them avoid the consequences of their actions.

In this context, some Arab officials were quoted as having said: "We cannot play the role of mediators upon the request of some parties that act without taking into consideration the consequences of their actions."

The ministerial source said the Gulf states are critical of the fact that some parties in Lebanon are engaging in their "adventures" with outside support, in reference to Syrian and Iran.

The source stressed that Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been deploying continuous efforts to convince these Syrian counterparts that adopting the Islamic Republic's strategy will cause great harm to Damascus.

While the Arabs are continuing with their efforts to resolve the international crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions, several Gulf states are being held responsible for the Islamic Republic's regional policies.

However, the source said the Arab attempts to persuade Syria to abandon the Iranian strategy have not yielded positive results.

The source added that Syrian President Bashar Assad's latest trip to Cairo had seen an Egyptian attempt to convince Assad to change his policy toward Tehran.

However, officials in Damascus have said recent developments, namely the clashes between Hamas and Israel, have shown the need to maintain close relations with Iran.

Accordingly, Assad made clear that he would not rethink his strategy.

The ministerial source also said Saudi Arabia's position would be taken into consideration at an Arab foreign ministers' meeting scheduled on Saturday.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=73983

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

another crash and burn, eh gupt?