One cannot write about Lebanon without summoning the state of political polarization, the quotas and sectarianism, the map of alliances and divisions serving the interests of other sides before its own and the statements of warmongers. Disputes and divergences occur with Saudi Arabia in Arab and Western states, and this is a normal situation. But there is a great difference between that and the ongoing attacks targeting Riyadh in Cairo and Beirut. Last April, Riyadh rang the alarm bell when the Egyptian street offended it, thus adopting a stringent position featuring the closing of its embassy and consulate and the withdrawal of its ambassador and diplomatic mission. But on the other hand, it remained silent and did not do the same in Lebanon, abstaining from adopting a decision to contain the offenders and those standing behind them, who are instigating them and pushing them to ruin its image through insults and the vilification of its positions. So the question is: Why was there no Saudi political and media reaction towards the offenses committed by Lebanese sides against Saudi Arabia, while such a reaction was seen against Egypt? Why does the Saudi political class have to indulge Lebanon's politicians and humor its movements?! Is Riyadh's position not characterized by duplicity when dealing with the two capitals (i.e. Cairo and Beirut), thus acting seriously and stringently with the first and remaining silent and obscure with the second? If I am asked whether or not I downplayed the importance of the ongoing attempts deployed by Lebanese sides to offend Saudi Arabia, I would say they are futile efforts aiming to generate crises, to distance Riyadh from Lebanon and allow Iran to monopolize it. All these methodic steps will not undermine Riyadh's value and status among some Lebanese before any others. However, the ongoing slander, accusations and lies made against it in order to settle scores with other movements and parties, will affect Saudi Arabia, its positions and reputation in the future, especially in parallel to the triggering of partisan and sectarian wars provoked by a domestic political adolescence which neither serves Lebanon nor the Arab nation. When Saudi Arabia closed its embassy in Cairo and pulled out its ambassador from there, it forced Egypt to apologize and send a popular delegation representing all the Egyptian movements and dignitaries to Riyadh, in order to contain the dispute and bridge the gap. But in Lebanon, Iranian and Syrian-charged mouthpieces and movements keep attacking Saudi Arabia, its people and king, spreading accusations and promoting lies against it, to the point where these offensive pictures of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques were raised in some Lebanese regions, at a time when giant pictures are raised of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad, with captions featuring praise and accolade. Why are those claiming to adopt an abstinence policy so tough with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states and so weak before Iran and Al-Assad's regime despite its faltering, to the point where they are refusing to help the Syrian refugees?! I believe that Saudi Arabia adopted a serious stand against anything which might affect its positions, without being influenced by the visions of the Lebanese lobby or containing any futile practices or offenses targeting it. But the Lebanese should show respect towards Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf states that have always helped and assisted them in their darkest days, or else, they will turn the Gulf relations with their countries into some sort of political failure. Why do the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council not adopt unified decisions as a united political organization, instead of the division and overbidding we are witnessing? And why is the Gulf position weakening in light of the emergence of a new polarization policy in the region? There is no doubt that the incoherence governing the Gulf states' foreign policies is weakening and exposing them, due to the conflict of interests, the inability to interact and coordinate the positions, in addition to the slowness of the Saudi foreign policy steps. Michel Aoun and his movement keep disparaging Saudi Arabia and blemishing its positions, knowing that Hezbollah did not do what he did or say what he said. Does Michel Aoun, his aides and allies, not know that by continuing to offend the Gulf states they will affect the interests of around 500,000 Lebanese nationals who are working in these states and enjoying many privileges? Indeed, ever since it came to be in the 1970s, the Lebanese Diaspora has been treated well in the Gulf states and was able to build strong relations, institutions and large companies that have been lucrative for Lebanon and its people, and not the Gulf states and their people. Why do the Lebanese not ask themselves this question: Can their country tolerate the consequences of a strong reaction by the Gulf states, in which tens of thousands of Lebanese families and youth are working and which constitute Lebanon's primary economic vent and commercial partner? There are anti-Saudi movements in Lebanon, and this is normal. But when the spite shown towards Saudi Arabia and its people becomes common and when Saudi officials still come out and say that “Lebanon is in our hearts," we must tell them: This is diplomatic sophistry which does not go in line with the current stage and the awareness of the Saudi street. Therefore, we should rise above these obsolete expressions. The Saudis are aware of Egypt's, Iraq's and Yemen's size on the political, geographic and historical map, and they know Lebanon's size even if it is blown out of proportion. They also know the warlords that are using the Lebanese situation to “milk" the Gulf funds. What is certain is that the Lebanese presidency and government are dealing with a positivity that is deficient and non-influential, and they must adopt stringent positions in rejection of any slander or offense targeting Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and their people. If this is not the case, the Gulf countries must converge over a strong political reaction, exceeding the policy of silence and “disregard", be it with Lebanon or any other country.
