EUROPE - The European Union has echoed US support for Lebanon following the resignation of prime minister Saad al-Hariri while Saudi Arabia’s claim that Beirut has declared war threatens strained ties in the Middle East. EU ambassadors to Lebanon said they reaffirmed "their strong support for the continued unity, stability, sovereignty, and security of Lebanon and its people".
They also called "on all sides to pursue constructive dialogue and to build on the work achieved in the last 11 months towards strengthening Lebanon's institutions and preparing parliamentary elections in early 2018, in adherence with the Constitution". On Tuesday, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert issued a declaration of support to Lebanon amid growing unrest in the Middle East. She said: “The United States strongly supports the legitimate institutions in the Lebanese state.
"We expect all members of the international community to respect fully those institutions and the sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon.” The EU and US support comes after Saudi Arabia accused the Middle Eastern country of declaring war following “aggression” against the kingdom by Shia group Hezbollah.
Saudi Gulf affairs minister Thamer al-Sabhan said the Iran-backed Lebanese group had attacked his country. Lebanese president Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, has refused to accept Hariri's resignation, saying he first wants him to return to Lebanon so he can meet him in person to understand the reasons.
Despite Washington’s decision to side with Lebanon on this issue, the US has joined Saudi Arabia in pointing the finger at Iran for the recent failed missile attack on Riyadh. While President Trump continues his 12-day tour of Asia, the White House has condemned the missile attack by Yemen's Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia and said Iran "enabled" the launch amid increasing instability in the Middle East.
Having trouble sorting out who is fighting whom in the Middle East? …or even why they are fighting? The Arab people are the descendants of Ishmael – and here is what God has to say about Ishmael.
"And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." (Genesis 16:11-12)