NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UN, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the Lebanese people in their crisis, especially after the explosion that rocked Beirut in August. He expressed great sadness about the extensive damage and human fatalities that resulted.

Al-Mouallimi was addressing the meeting of the Regional Bureau for Arab States of the UN Development Program with the permanent representatives of the Arab Group on Lebanon.

He said: “I am pleased to be with you today to discuss the measures taken to deal with the crisis in Lebanon; Lebanon is an important member of the Arab Nation and holds a special place in the heart of the Saudi people.”

He reiterated the support for Lebanon and its people in confronting the challenges that have been aggravated by the explosion and the impact of COVID-19.

“The Kingdom was one of the first countries that came to the aid of the Lebanese people after the tragic and disastrous explosion. The Kingdom sent humanitarian relief to Lebanon after King Salman gave directions to send urgent aid and to operate an air bridge supervised by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to provide necessary assistance to the Lebanese people,” he added.

He said: “The dangerous crisis that Lebanon is suffering is not only humanitarian but also political. Lebanon has all the resources that qualify it to be a stable and advanced country. However, the sad situation Lebanon has reached is the result of the dominance of some paramilitary forces operating outside the government’s authority which are directed by external forces that aim to use Lebanon as a pawn in their plans and plots.”

He indicated that the Kingdom has been a strong supporter of Lebanon for decades, and stressed that Lebanon today is in dire need of political and economic reform to protect its independence and ensure its stability and the growth of its economy. Therefore, it is essential to have an honest national government that works for the benefit and prosperity of the Lebanese people.

SPA