Derian Hails Saudi Arabia’s Insistence Not To Abandon Lebanon

Derian received on Tuesday Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. (NNA)
Derian received on Tuesday Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. (NNA)
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Derian Hails Saudi Arabia’s Insistence Not To Abandon Lebanon

Derian received on Tuesday Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. (NNA)
Derian received on Tuesday Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. (NNA)

Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Derian expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its unwavering insistence not to abandon Lebanon despite "preferential" positions made by some Lebanese parties.

Derian expressed “great appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for the insistence of the wise leadership not to abandon Lebanon and its people, despite some unfair stances against the Kingdom issued by some Lebanese parties."

Derian’s remarks came during his Tuesday meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari.

Bukhari underlined the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s security and stability.

He said seditious rhetoric does not gain legitimacy, nor does any attempt to change Lebanon’s Arab identity.

Bukhari stressed the importance of permanent communication with Dar Al-Fatwa.

"The Ambassador stressed that Dar el-Fatwa is the moderate religious and national reference, which maintains its unifying role during the crises that Lebanon is witnessing,” the media office of Dar Al-Fatwa said in a statement.

The ambassador affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness on the security and stability of Lebanon and its institutions, and on the consolidation of Muslim-Christian coexistence.

Derian noted that relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia “were and will remain firm because the Kingdom continues to view Lebanon and its people as a brotherly Arab country.”

Bukhari also visited on Tuesday Druze Sheikh Al-Aql, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Mona.



US Issues Security Alerts for Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan, Warns of Missile Attacks

Armored vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
Armored vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
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US Issues Security Alerts for Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan, Warns of Missile Attacks

Armored vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
Armored vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025. (AFP)

The US State Department issued security alerts on Friday for several Middle Eastern countries, in some cases advising against travel and warning of possible missile attacks after Israel launched military strikes against Iran. 

It warned American citizens not to travel to Iran and said those there should leave. "US citizens who are unable to depart Iran should shelter in place," the advisory read. 

The alerts warned of missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. "In the event of such an incident seek overhead cover and shelter in place. Do not expose yourself to falling debris," the department said. 

Israel said on Friday it had targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. 

Iran promised a harsh response to the onslaught. Israel said about 100 drones had been launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation, although an Iranian source denied this. 

Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after the Israeli attacks forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. 

Late on Thursday, the State Department said it had directed all US government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.