SAG RESPONSE: NEW YORK FORCE GENERATION MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 006005 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI. E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV SA LE SUBJECT: SAG RESPONSE: NEW YORK FORCE GENERATION MEETING FOR LEBANON ON MONDAY REF: SECSTATE 124162 Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal July 29 by telephone to discuss reftel demarche, which Post had earlier transmitted via diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister responded that the Saudis would not provide troops for peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon, and he declined to commit to sending a SAG delegation to New York. He did say that they would be interested in learning the outcome of the meeting. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Saudi Arabia has historically been unwilling to commit troops to international peacekeeping efforts. Its recent commitment of $1.5 billion in aid to Lebanon reflects the Kingdom's commitment to resolving the current crisis, albeit by non-military means. END COMMENT. OBERWETTER