President Obama during his speech on Sunday

Dispute over Lebanon marks latest foreign-policy rift to emerge between Washington and Riyadh

By JAY SOLOMON and DANA BALLOUT, WSJ

The Obama administration is pressuring Saudi Arabia not to take further steps to punish Lebanon economically in retaliation for the growing political power amassed in Beirut by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant and political group, U.S. and Arab officials said.

The dispute over Lebanon marks the latest foreign-policy rift to emerge between Washington and Riyadh, decades-old allies, particularly concerning the regional role played by Iran and its proxies.

Saudi Arabia in February said it had suspended $3 billion in military aid for the Lebanese armed forces. A group of oil-rich Arab states, led by Riyadh, placed restrictions on their citizens visiting Lebanon, and suggested additional financial penalties could be imposed on Beirut.

Senior U.S. diplomats, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have privately warned Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states that they were overreacting and risked destabilizing Lebanon’s broader economy, these officials said.

Beirut is heavily dependent on Arab investment and remittances from Lebanese workers living in the Persian Gulf.

“We thought the actions were reckless and risked driving the Lebanese further into the hands of Iran,” said a senior U.S. official briefed on the communications with Saudi Arabia. “It feels like a significant overreaction.”

The French government of President François Hollande has also raised concerns about Lebanon in recent meetings with the Saudi government, U.S. and Arab officials said.

Arab officials have privately acknowledged differences with the U.S. on Lebanon strategy. But Saudi Arabia said it is difficult for it to continue funding a dysfunctional Lebanese government dominated by Hezbollah and its political allies.

Lebanon hasn’t had a president in more than two years because of a political standoff between Hezbollah and its allies, and parties aligned with Saudi Arabia. Iran is Hezbollah’s primary financial backer and arms supplier.

“You feel like there is no Lebanon anymore,” Saudi Information Minister Adel Al Toraifi said recently in Washington. “If the government isn’t functioning, what will happen to the money?”

Saudi Arabia has expelled Lebanese workers in recent weeks that Riyadh alleges are Hezbollah members, the Saudi minister said. Other Gulf States have said they are considering pulling their deposits from Lebanon’s central bank and reducing other investments in the country.

U.S. Intensifies Bid to Defund Hezbollah (Dec. 16)The unprecedented rift between Lebanon and its Gulf neighbors was sparked by Beirut’s refusal in January to support an Arab League resolution condemning Iran for failing to prevent an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran that month.

Saudi officials said the vote by Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, an ally of Hezbollah’s, signaled Beirut abandoning its longtime alliance with Saudi Arabia, which has aided the Lebanese economy for decades.

Saudi Arabia has displayed a greater willingness to pursue a foreign policy independent of the U.S. since the ascension to the throne last year of King Salman and the appointment of his son, Mohammad bin Salman, as defense minister.

Riyadh has led a yearlong air war against Iranian-backed militias in Yemen, which has fueled concerns in Washington about …read more

Source:: Israpundit

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