Nidaa Al-Watan wrote:
In recent days, Saudi Arabia has emerged at the heart of the Lebanese scene through the visit of its envoy, Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Farhan, to Beirut, and the meetings he held with Lebanese officials, as an expression of a Saudi decision to return strongly to exert a positive influence on Lebanon’s trajectory, especially at such a sensitive negotiating moment.
This visit takes on added significance in light of the phone call between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during which they discussed developments on Lebanese territory and efforts being made to secure a complete halt to Israeli attacks on it. The minister renewed the Kingdom’s position in support of Lebanon’s stability and the empowerment of its state institutions. Berri also discussed developments in Lebanon and the region with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
A senior political source told Nidaa Al-Watan that the Saudi envoy stressed three points:
– Preserving civil peace, specifically preventing Shiite-Sunni tension following the moves and campaigns against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
– Absolute support for President Salam, adherence to him, and praise for all that he is doing domestically and internationally.
– Commitment to the Taif Agreement as the only solution to all contentious issues.
According to the source, Bin Farhan also renewed the Kingdom’s commitment to helping Lebanon emerge from the vortex it is going through and its readiness to support all initiatives related to strengthening legitimate institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese Army, and later matters connected to the reconstruction file after establishing the authority of the state in the exclusivity of arms, the decision of war and peace, and its sovereignty over all Lebanese territory.
In this context, sources following the matter told Nidaa Al-Watan that Al Farhan’s visit came after a visit by Berri’s envoy, MP Ali Hassan Khalil, to Riyadh, followed by presidential adviser Andre Rahal, and then a phone call between Aoun and the Saudi Crown Prince. Al Farhan carried ideas for a solution that he presented to Lebanese leaders, especially Speaker Berri. The Saudi declaration of adherence to the Taif Agreement and its implementation in all its provisions and with speed comes in line with international resolutions and the November 27 agreement, and to keep pace with the latest developments imposed by reality.
The source added that the most important clause in Taif is extending the authority of the state over all territory and disarming militias, and that this could provide a way out for handing over the “Party’s” weapons. The issue was raised with Berri, who knocked on Saudi Arabia’s door. But Berri does not have the answer and will present the matter to Hezbollah, noting that the latter’s decision is tied to Iran.
The source continued: if this point moves forward, a large part of the problem will be resolved, while the Kingdom affirms its support for Lebanon’s negotiating path and for separating the file from Iran. Accordingly, there is anticipation over what Al Farhan’s visit to Lebanon will bring, amid Saudi insistence on not taking any internal step that would destabilize the country, most notably overturning Salam’s government and changing the political reality by force. This firm message has reached Berri, who received it and understood its content well.
