Egypt plays a vital role in resolving Lebanese crisis: Lebanese official

CAIRO – 14 November 2017: Egypt has a pivotal role in helping to resolve the current Lebanese crisis, thanks to its Arab and regional importance and its strong relations with all sides, advisor of the former Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said on Tuesday.

Suleiman views that in order for Lebanon to end its crisis, the current Lebanese President Michel Aoun should take a decisive stance to prevent Lebanon from becoming more involved in further conflicts. Those steps include withdrawing Hezbollah militia from fighting in Syria, Yemen and Iraq and implementing a defensive strategy that sets a schedule for Hezbollah militia to follow when gradually handing over their weapons to the country’s authorities.

Suleiman called on Hezbollah to put national interests above personal interests, noting that the resignation of el-Hariri was expected and his return is difficult.

On another level, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Jubran Bassil said he does not accept any interference in the affairs of Saudi Arabia.

"We seek to preserve the security and stability of Lebanon," he said, clarifying that “Hariri was in a mysterious situation and should return to his country.”

The Lebanese crisis is ongoing in its second week after former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad el-Hariri declared his resignation, assuring that his decision is in the state’s interest, especially at a time when Iran increased its interference in regional affairs. He said that he will return to Lebanon very soon and is not captured in Saudi Arabia as some have assumed.