Lebanese sources say the formation of a new government in Lebanon has not changed Riyadh’s tough stance on Beirut, and that everyone seems to be waiting for the outcome of the upcoming Lebanese elections.
According to the International Group of Pak Sahafat News Agency, Lebanese sources told Al-Mayadin that Saudi Arabia has not changed its position on Lebanon since the formation of a new government, and that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is counting on talks with the International Monetary Fund to resolve the Lebanese crisis.
The sources stressed that Saudi Arabia’s position on Lebanon remains strict and that Riyadh has not changed its position on not intervening in the Lebanese crisis and distancing itself negatively from it.
The sources stressed that Mikati hopes that the US-Saudi relationship will affect the position of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman towards Lebanon in a way that will help Riyadh, or at least lift the ban on the import of Lebanese goods or the travel of Lebanese citizens.
According to the report, Mikati’s current reliance on negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and efforts to resolve the Lebanese crisis and reduce it as much as possible.
The sources added that Lebanon will not receive any serious support until the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 27th. Lebanon-related countries, including the United States and France, are convinced that the current balance of power in Lebanon can only be changed through elections.
The report added: “As pressure mounts on Lebanon, Hezbollah is working to point to an alternative model and seems to continue to seek help from the East and Iran, as long as Riyadh and Washington play the game of pressure on the people and the siege of Lebanon.”
A few months ago, Lebanese news sources reported on a secret meeting between Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun and Saudi Ambassador Walid al-Bukhari in Beirut.
According to Al-Akhbar, the Riyadh ambassador told Aoun that Saudi Arabia had a condition to help the Lebanese army, and further claimed that Hezbollah-affiliated forces were “interfering in the actions of this military entity, contrary to orders.”
Al-Akhbar recently described in a note the attempt to open the doors of Saudi Arabia as the first severe test of the Lebanese government and Mikati.