Hariri needs a partner to keep Lebanon safe
Iran’s regional threat and the situation in Lebanon were the topics that captured the attention of newspapers in the region E verything that happens on the regional scene indicts Iran, because it is the key source of crises, wrote the UAE’s Al Bayan. “A trove of documents released by the US Central Intelligence Agency uncovered the old relations between Tehran and Al Qaida, and the group’s leader, [Osama] Bin Laden. Iran is playing a key role in everything that is happening in the Arab region, from crises, conflicts and wars, and events in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and other countries. Iran also supplied ballistic missiles to Al Houthis in Yemen so that they can attack Saudi cities, and one cannot dismiss the possibility that these missiles might one day be aimed at other Arab cities. Also, what is happening now in Lebanon, with the Iranian arm Hezbollah violating the country’s sovereignty and threatening its legitimate leaders, is evidence of Iran’s conspiracies and ambitions for regional influence, as well as its ill-intent towards all Arab countries,” the paper said.
During their emergency meeting on Sunday, Arab foreign ministers took a stand on Iran’s violations against the sovereignty of Arab nations, said Saudi Arabia’s Al Yaum. “Tehran continues to escalate its attacks against countries in the region, and its most recent acts of aggression were targeting Riyadh with Iranian ballistic missiles and destructive acts carried out in Bahrain. Through such escalations, Iran is signalling its intent to expand and is declaring war on countries in the region by exporting its bloody revolution, and spreading division, sectarianism and sedition among people in the Arab Nation. Arabs have to seize the opportunities that they have wasted to confront Iran and its acts of terrorism ... There is still time for Arabs to unify their ranks against Iranian ambitions.”
Hariri’s future
This week, Lebanon is set to address some very sensitive challenges as the saga of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri comes to the final stretch with the country completely paralysed, noted Lebanon’s Daily Star. “However, reaction and involvement in Lebanese affairs, whether regionally or internationally, has proved the importance of this small country and the good feelings it generates from many friendly states. There is no doubt that the wisdom of Lebanese politicians as well as the resilience, perseverance and diplomatic manner in which Hariri has confronted this equation has kept the country in calm waters ... What he [Hariri] needs now is a partner willing to meet him halfway to keep the country out of turbulent waters because it takes two to tango.”
The main and chronic problem in Lebanon is Iran, which is represented by Hezbollah, said London-based Pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al Awsat. “This is a problem shared by the majority of regional countries and the world. Riyadh focused on an important message, which is that Lebanon cannot remain Hezbollah’s prey. The Lebanese and Arabs, who underestimate the party, may not be aware that it could completely take over the Lebanese state and eliminate all of its diversity and liberties. Hezbollah will destroy all of Lebanon’s independent groups, Christian and Sunni alike, if it forges ahead with its agenda of transforming Lebanon into an Iranian territory.”