Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz addresses the kingdom's advisory Shura Council from his royal palace in Neom, Saudi Arabia, December 29, 2021. (Credit: SPA)
BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday called on Lebanese authorities to "stop Hezbollah’s terrorist hegemony over the structures of the state.” The king’s statement is yet another signal from the Gulf that any rapprochement with Lebanon will condition, among other things, a limiting of Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon and the region.
Here’s what we know:
• According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency, the SPA, King Abdulaziz also said that his country "stands with the brotherly Lebanese people.”
• Lebanon is trying to resolve a diplomatic crisis with Riyadh, which was exacerbated after resigned Information Minister George Kurdahi’s comments on the Saudi-Yemeni war led several Gulf monarchies to take retaliatory measures.
• Saudi Arabia’s historical role in Lebanon has been limited for several years as tensions rise between it and Hezbollah over the war in Yemen. The kingdom accuses Hezbollah of training the Houthis to fight against it.
• On Sunday, Saudi Arabia released footage that it alleges depicts a Hezbollah member training a Houthi leader in order to fight the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.