NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s UN Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi says the Kingdom would change its political stance toward Lebanon when the country proves that it is able to manage itself without Hezbollah interference.
“This is an essential condition for reviewing Saudi policy toward Lebanon,” he said. “The Kingdom will not accept Hezbollah’s terrorist behavior in the region.”
He explained: “We are interested in Lebanon, but we cannot accept Hezbollah’s behavior inside and outside the country. When we see the country is able to manage itself, we will change our policy toward the country.”
Al-Mouallimi also said he is concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen but doesn’t see the need for a Security Council resolution on it.
A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen for almost a year.
Council members are discussing a possible resolution addressing the humanitarian crisis.
But Al-Mouallimi said the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has told his office that it doesn’t believe there is a need for the council’s intervention.
OCHA deputy spokesperson Jens Laerke says the office can’t comment on the ambassador’s statement.
Saudi policy may change ‘if Beirut rids itself of Hezbollah’
Saudi policy may change ‘if Beirut rids itself of Hezbollah’
