Lebanon’s president officially communicated to Saudi Arabia to reply with the reasons why the his prime minister has not returned home since his alleged resignation last week, which was announced from the kingdom. Earlier The United States and France expressed have supported Lebanon’s sovereignty and called for calming of nerves. Egypt has send its Foreign Minister to visit a number of countries in the Middle East to discuss the situation Lebanon amid the ongoing Tension between the country and Saudi Arabia on the resignation Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.
Meanwhile Hariri’s mysterious fate has united Lebanon, covering fall lines of Shia-Sunni and sectarian divides. From Hariri’s own party which represents the Shia minority of county to Iran Supported Hezbollah everyone has as return of the PM from Riyadh where many allege that he is being kept under a houae imprisonment . Hassan Nasrallah, on behalf of Hezbollah, said it was “beyond any doubt” that Mr Hariri had been forced out by the Saudis.
While the real reasons for the Saudi actions remain unclear, what is apparent is that Riyadh has become a new epicenter of political instability in the region. From a missile attack on its airport to an internal purge, MBS has go into too many power plays simultaneously. While Saudi supported rebels have been defeated in Syria and Yemen, even a direct possibility of Saudi Armed forces facing off with Hezbollah can have deeper repercussions across the region. With the dust over the Qatar dispute yet to settle, Bahrain clamming its oil pipe line blast to be an act of Sabotage by Iran, Lebanese crisis seemed to be ill timed by Saudies. Mr Hariri’s resignation has already sent Lebanese bonds crashing and Rating Agencies have issued warnings of a credit rating cuts.
The region is plunging deeper in crisis, while Tehran – Riyadh continue their games.
