TFLE01: SAUDI HUMANITARIAN CONVOY STILL PLANNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 006037 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR LEBANON TASK FORCE (TF-1),ATTN: R. MCKAY E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EAID LE SA SUBJECT: TFLE01: SAUDI HUMANITARIAN CONVOY STILL PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO BEIRUT REF: (A) NEA/ARPI EMAIL 7/28 (B) RIYADH 6003 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) NIACT precedence justified by urgent operational information and alternate work week. This message responds to Lebanon Task Force and Embassy Tel Aviv requests for assurances and information, to be shared with the IDF, concerning the planned travel of a Saudi relief convoy to Lebanon. ¶2. (C) Post confirmed with Emboff from Saudi Embassy in Lebanon on the evening of July 29 that the Saudi Red Crescent and Ministry of Health still plan to send a convoy of approximately 23 vehicles containing emergency relief supplies and field hospital equipment to Beirut on the morning of July 30. Four Lebanese police vehicles will reportedly accompany the convoy as escorts. The convoy is expected to travel through Jordan and cross into Lebanon at Al Abbudiyah on the Syria-Lebanon border approximately between 0800-0900 local time Sunday, July 30 en route to Beirut via the coastal highway through Tripoli. ETA in Beirut is 1200 hrs. local time. Post forwarded a list containing a description of convoy vehicles (23) to Lebanon Task Force on the afternoon of July 29 and confirmed receipt. ¶3. (C) Post has since learned of a second Saudi relief operation of approximately four Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft containing humanitarian supplies that the SAG plans to fly to Beirut on July 30 and July 31. Specific flight itineraries will be forwarded on July 30. Post is coordinating with DAO Tel Aviv for aircraft clearance. SAG has already independently coordinated with government of Lebanon for the movement of these aircraft. ¶4. (C) Point of contact for the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon is Mr. Mohammed al-Hajjaj, cellular number: 00 961 338 8551. Mr. al-Hajjaj told Post that he will meet the convoy at the Syria-Lebanon border and accompany it to Beirut. ¶5. (U) POCs for Embassy Riyadh are Political Officer Martin Dale; cellular 966 50 525 2815, Office: 966 1 488-3800 ext. 4526, dalema@state.gov; and Major Tim Shadid, cellular 966 50 441 9659, Office: 966 1 488-3800 ext. 4429, email: shadidtm@state.gov. OBERWETTER