Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea praised the Saudi move aimed at protecting Yemen's sovereignty, noting that “no one wanted military action in Yemen, but without it, the country will head in the direction of ‘Somalization’ with the spread of al-Qaeda-linked groups across the region.”
In a statement to al-Mustaqbal daily, Geagea stressed that the decision taken by Saudi Arabia and the Arab-Islamic coalition came as “a last-gasp moment” to save Yemen.
“The Saudi intervention is not based on certain intentions or ambitions, but came at the right time and place, as a rescue plan to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and all the Arab and Gulf,” he added.
Ministerial sources reported that Prime Minister Tammam Salam coordinated with Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and discussed the stance launched by the latter before Arab Foreign Ministers.
The sources told al-Mustaqbal daily that Salam was insisting that Lebanon vote in favor of any decision that receives Arab consensus, but disassociates itself from any proposal rejected by at least one Arab country.
During the conference that preceded the annual Arab summit expected to be held on Saturday in Sharm al-Sheikh, FM Bassil delivered a speech whereby he said that “Lebanon supports any decision agreed upon by all countries and abstains from taking a stand on matters when Arabs are divided.”
Justice Minister Asharf Rifi stressed that the military operation launched in Yemen comes after “Iran went too far in supporting armed groups,” noting that a decision had to be taken in order to put an end to this phenomenon.
In a statement to an-Nahar daily, Rifi noted that the operation in Yemen “gives hope in ending the humiliation and puts an end to Iran's arrogance,” adding that this moment is historical and acts as a wake-up call for all the Lebanese parties to reconsider their decisions in order to protect Lebanon from the raging wars in the region.
“Now is the time for Hezbollah to take a brave position and withdraw from Syria and all the entire Arab scene, return to Lebanon and allow the Lebanese army to take control of the borders,” he continued, pointing out that “if need be, the UNIFIL forces can be summoned in accordance with UN resolution 1701.”
State Minister for Administrative Development Affairs Nabil De Freij described the discussions held during the cabinet session as technical.
On another note, he told al-Liwaa newspaper that “after all the developments that have taken place in Yemen and the positions launched by Arab and international powers, the speech expected to be delivered by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah later today will define the course of the next stage.”
“Nasrallah’s statement will indicate whether or not we will be heading towards further escalation,” he said, hoping that tension will be alleviated, “since Lebanon cannot bear the repercussions of further conflicts.”