Reasons behind Extending Term of Saudi Envoy to Lebanon
16 Aug 201408:38 AM
Reasons behind Extending Term of Saudi Envoy to Lebanon

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extended the term of its ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri who was readying to leave Lebanon to Pakistan.

 

Assiri had already resumed his farewell visits on Lebanese officials, as Prime Minister Tamam Salam hosted him over a luncheon banquet. The envoy concluded his meetings at Lebanese Press Syndicate, where he voiced the kingdom's full support to Lebanon.

 

The ambassador was summoned by the Saudi King 48 hours prior to his leave, only to be informed that his term in Lebanon was extended.

 

Assiri rejected considering the Saudi grant for Lebanese Army as a challenge for Hizbullah Party, stressing that it will be delivered to the army which includes Lebanese from all sects.

 

In the same context, al-Anbaa Kuwaiti daily has learned Saturday that a Lebanese prominent political figure contacted Saudi officials to express its confusion over the transfer of Assiri from Lebanon to Pakistan in times the country is passing through delicate stage.

 

"Any new ambassador should pass at least six months in Lebanon to understand the Lebanese deadlocks, which Assiri is already closely following up on them," the daily added.

 

"Based on the exceptional stage in Lebanon, in addition to the presidential void that prevents appointing a new ambassador, Assiri's term was extended," the newspaper pointed out.

 

"Saudi King's wisdom sees I must stay in Beirut," Assiri stressed.