Lebanese scholars call on govt to apologize to KSA

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Lebanon called upon the government to apologize to the Kingdom and the Arab states for the hostile Lebanese positions resulting from the increased influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in the official affairs of the country.
The association blamed Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil for acting at the behest of Hezbollah which is harming Beirut’s relations with all Arab countries, and called on the Lebanese government for his dismissal and a retreat from such damaging positions on behalf of Lebanon.
The remark came during a meeting between Yahya Al-Daouk, vice chairman of the association, and Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki on Monday at MWL headquarters in Makkah.
Al-Daouk further said that the association is interested in cooperating with MWL and seeks to take advantage of its expertise on serving Islam.
He thanked the MWL secretary-general for readiness to cooperate with the association to unify Muslims.
Al-Daouk also briefed the secretary-general on the aims and objectives of the association, and the aspirations which revolve around uniting Muslims and removing all differences among them; paying attention to the issues and problems they face; addressing these concerns in accordance with Islamic principles; maintaining the identity of the Sunni community in Lebanon; and consolidating the values of Islam to coexist and deal on the basis of truth and justice for all.
Earlier, the association issued a statement about the growing threats to Lebanon, including the Iranian regime trying to dominate the country, and condemned Hezbollah’s activities saying the risk factor is due to their wrong policies.
Moreover, Lebanese Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi resigned from the Cabinet saying that the Hezbollah group dominates the government and is harming Beirut’s relations with the Arab countries.
The Kingdom has stopped military aid to Lebanon because of its hostile positions resulting from the stranglehold of the terror outfit Hezbollah on the state.
Lately Lebanon’s official position had been that of hostility to the Kingdom and a deviation from the Arab countries. Lebanon not only failed to condemn Iran for the attack on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad in early January, which were denounced by all countries across the world, but also had not joined positions taken by the Arab League or the Organization of Islamic Cooperation against the violent attacks.
The Kingdom had helped Lebanon, including standing by the troubled state in all its difficult stages, and supported it without any discrimination among its sects and groups.
Riyadh also announced a travel warning discouraging citizens from visiting Lebanon
Source :AFP