Israel Matzav

Saudi Foreign Minister: Nasrallah is like Sharon

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal compared Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a recent Arab League conference on sectarian violence in Lebanon. Because they both invaded Beirut.

The Saudi FM's comments were published Tuesday by Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. "The legitimate government in Lebanon is being subjected to an all-out war. We, the Arab world cannot stand idly by as this happens," he was quoted as saying.

"Iran is managing this war and Hizbullah is looking to impose Islamic rule on all of Lebanon, like in Iran," al-Faisal said. "We must do whatever it takes in order to stop this war and save Lebanon, even if this requires the establishment of an Arab force that will quickly be deployed there, thus protecting the existing legitimate government."

The Saudi minister continued to say that "we must issue a statement condemning Hizbullah and Iran over the invasion and send a stern warning to the gunmen to cease fighting and withdraw. Then we must stand by (Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad) Siniora's government and praise it for its resilience."

Syria's ambassador to Lebanon, who represented his country at the Arab League conference, said "the developments in Lebanon are an internal matter and we do not want to intervene."

The envoy then lashed out at the Saudi FM, saying "your position favors a small group of Lebanese. You say that the Lebanese government is legitimate, but it does not represent all the Lebanese people, only some of them.

The Arab League eventually decided that it would try to mediate between the rival factions in Lebanon but did not condemn Hizbullah.

Well the only alternative to 'mediation' is to let Israel go in and do the job and stand by idly cheering under their breaths. They tried that two years ago and it didn't work. Unfortunately, 'mediation' won't work either. It's too late.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:01 PM