Saudi-Emirati Rivalry Extends to Lebanon Amid Regional Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Saudi Arabia‘s envoy to Lebanon, Yazeed bin Farhan, has expressed Riyadh’s dissatisfaction with its Arab allies’ “negative neutrality” in the country, signaling a widening rift between Saudi and Emirati influence. The tensions emerged after Lebanon joined the UAE in refusing to sign Arab-Islamic statements condemning Tel Aviv’s recognition of Somaliland separatists.
Al-Akhbar revealed that Saudi Arabia suspects the UAE of orchestrating Lebanon’s non-alignment through its extensive political networks, including ties with Lebanese Forces party, Al-Kataeb, and MP Fouad Makhzoumi. Saudi officials reportedly alarmed by Abu Dhabi’s growing media and security foothold in Lebanon have sought to prevent the Saudi-Emirati competition from spilling over into Syria.
The report notes that Qatar’s recent reconciliation with Saudi Arabia has further complicated the regional power dynamics, with Riyadh particularly concerned about Beirut’s reluctance to take sides in the Saudi-Emirati dispute over Yemen.
