Saudis attribute offensive to Hizbullah's rogue 'adventure'

The Daily Star (Lebabon) ^ | July 15, 2005 | Walid Choucair

[WmShirerAdmirer]

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.

[WmShirerAdmirer]

"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."

[sully777]

Assad--daily affirming the Peter Principle.

[Wuli]

It is more sinister than it seems.

We have to realize that part of what the Arab leaders are saying, vis-a-vis Hizbolla, is that THEY (the Arab states) may not have objected to Hizbolla's actions if the Saudi's and others had been part of the decision.

The western media is going to miss this distinction in their translation and because of the spin that the Saudi's want the western media to give it: "See the Saudi's and other Arab states are actually objecting to Hizbolla" (not). They are objecting to not being in on it.

[WmShirerAdmirer]

Thanks for showing this angle on the report. You also made me think of how the 6 Day War started, only this time Hamas/ Hezbolla started the fight instead of any one of these Arab states. I suppose that gives these organizations "clout" and almost "state" status now. What do you think?

[RebelTex]

Hamas/ Hezbolla need to be completely destroyed wherever they are found, period - end of story.

[AmericaUnited]

These radical groups are a threat to the Monarchy, and so we should expect the Saudi Royals to be gainst them.

[attiladhun2]

There is a large Saudi Hezbollah group in the eastern part of the country. They are dedicated to overthrowing the Monarchy and setting up an Iranian style "republic," (i.e., mullahcracy). Last I heard Saudi Hezbollah had about 10,000 members. They are under no illusions that Iran is pulling the strings behind all of this. The is why the Arabs may "protesteth too much," but in the end may be secretly glad the Israelis are dealing with this. None of the Sunni states in the region are real happy about the Iranian push to become the leaders of the Islamic world.

[AmericaUnited]

True, that to me is an absolute.

[ClaireSolt]

You are right.

[river rat]

Good--- Does this mean the Saudis are going to send troops or money to help the Jews?

Or - perhaps they would be willing to help the dispossessed or displaced?

Or - perhaps they would vote with the U.S. in the U.N. for some heavy duty sanctions or actions against Iran/Syria?

I didn't think so...

Perhaps the Saudis need to STFU and fix their own horrible record on HUMAN RIGHTS and RELIGIOUS FREEDOM at home.

Semper Fi

[Wuli]

No.

(1)ALL of Hizbolla's "clout" resides in Tehran and has all along; since Hizbolla was founded. Syria is just the go-between.

(2)Iranians are also becoming major funders of Hamas.

(3)Iranian agents started showing up in Gaza and the West Bank before the last Palestinian "elections" and their presence increased afterwards.

(4)China is even in on the act. A major Chinese intelligence operative has been seen with Hamas's major leadership for a long time now, and China received the leader of Hamas right after the elections in Palestine.

So,
(4)What are the radical-fundamentalist-Wahabi Saudi's and other Sunni Arab radicals mad about?

That Iran is stealing their radical turf!

[Wuli]

And note here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1666382/posts