Khoja to Jumblatt: Your Stances Weaken Hariri, Saudi-Syrian Negotiations

Source: almanar.com.lb, 05-08-2009

Saudi Information and Culture Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja met with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt Tuesday night, in the presence of Transport and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi, amid efforts by Riyadh to contain the crisis that erupted following the Druze leader's latest stances.

"We agreed to support efforts to form a government and pave way for consolidating the path of understanding and stability," Jumblatt said about his two-hour meeting with Khoja in Clemenceau. The minister arrived in Lebanon from Morocco.
Aridi attended the talks and later headed to Baabda palace for a meeting with President Michel Suleiman.

Jumblatt stressed the importance of having a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, while Khoja said that the KSA is keen on preserving Lebanese stability, As-Safir newspaper reported. An official source told As Safir daily that Khoja's visit was part of "a direct and serious Saudi move to deal with (Jumblatt's) new stance." The newspaper also quoted Lebanese sources as saying that the Saudi leadership sent Khoja to Beirut as part of its efforts to revive inter-Arab ties, in particularly Saudi-Syrian relations, and reiterate Riyadh's keenness on maintaining security in Lebanon.

An Nahar said Khoja carried a letter from King Abdullah, who is vacationing in Morocco, questioning Jumblatt on his latest stance and its repercussions on Lebanese politics.

Naharnet learned Khoja told the Druze leader that Riyadh considers his stance would weaken PM-designate Saad Hariri in his efforts to form a new cabinet on one hand and would jeopardize the Saudi position in its negotiations with Syria aimed at consolidating Lebanese sovereignty and ending interfering in Lebanon on the other.

Jumblatt told the daily that there is an agreement between him and the Saudi minister to support all efforts to form the new cabinet and to clear the air to strengthen consensus and stability. "I have decided to refrain from commenting on any statement until the storm calms," Jumblatt said, a reference to the statements issued against him after his Sunday announcement that his alliance with the March 14 coalition was out of necessity and should be terminated.

The minister also telephoned Caretaker Premier Fouad Saniora and Speaker Nabih Berri. Saniora met on Wednesday with Khoja at Grand Serail.