Al-Sabhan on Hariri Resignation: We Support all of his Steps

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri meets with Saudi Arab Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan in Beirut, Lebanon February 6, 2017. (Dalati & Nohra)
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri meets with Saudi Arab Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan in Beirut, Lebanon February 6, 2017. (Dalati & Nohra)
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Al-Sabhan on Hariri Resignation: We Support all of his Steps

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri meets with Saudi Arab Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan in Beirut, Lebanon February 6, 2017. (Dalati & Nohra)
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri meets with Saudi Arab Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan in Beirut, Lebanon February 6, 2017. (Dalati & Nohra)

Saudi Minister of State for Arab Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan denied on Saturday that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was “pressured” to resign from his post.

He said that Saudi Arabia has stood by the official in all of his previous stances and it will “always” stand by him and the Lebanese people.

Commenting on Hariri’s surprise resignation, he said that Saudi Arabia’s primary concern is the Lebanese people’s safety and avoiding strife.

“The Kingdom has not and will not provoke Hariri to step down, but the problem that the Lebanese people try to avoid discussing is the existence of a diabolical party,” he stated in reference to “Hezbollah.”

“This militia is using weapons and its destructive machine in an attempt to destroy our peoples,” continued al-Sabhan.

“They tried to create strife within the Lebanese society and they tried to eliminate its culture and history,” he remarked to a Lebanese television station.

“What this militia has created is the smuggling of drugs, fighters and weapons to other countries. They have also worked on targeting the Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. Should we remain silent over this or should we reveal the problem to the reasonable people among the Lebanese?” he asked.

“The Kingdom is a safe haven to all the Lebanese people, while Iran’s party is working on creating unrest for the interest of a terrorist Iranian regime,” he stressed.

“There is no difference between the terrorist diabolical party and al-Qaeda and ISIS. We are demanding from the countries that united to confront ISIS to now cooperate to confront the terrorist regime in Iran and its terrorist son in Lebanon,” continued the Saudi official.

He underlined the need to “Hezbollah” to disarm “or suffer actual sanctions.”

Hariri announced on Saturday his resignation from his post due to Iran’s continued meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs through its proxy “Hezbollah.”



Saudi Arabia Backs Syrian Govt Measures to Restore Calm, Slams Israeli Attacks

An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Backs Syrian Govt Measures to Restore Calm, Slams Israeli Attacks

An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)
An Israeli fighter aircraft fires a flare as it flies over the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it was following the developments in Syria, expressing its “satisfaction” with the measures taken by the government to achieve security and stability, maintain civil peace, and achieve the sovereignty of the state and its institutions over all Syrian territory.

The measures will help in preserving Syria's unity and security and meeting the aspirations of the people.

The Kingdom condemned the continued blatant Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, interference in its internal affairs, and destabilization of its security and stability in flagrant violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.

The Kingdom renewed its call to the international community to stand by Syria, support it at this stage, and confront the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against it.