AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LEBANON CRISIS AND VISA

S E C R E T RIYADH 006058 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI. E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR CMGT SA LE SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LEBANON CRISIS AND VISA ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD AL-FAISAL REF: A. A) RIYADH 6300 ¶B. B) ABU DHABI 2940 ¶C. C) RIYADH 5909 AND PREVIOUS. Classified By: Ambassador Oberwetter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Oberwetter discussed three issues with Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal via telephone on July 29. First, they discussed the issue of the Saudi humanitarian aid convoy to Lebanon (Ref A). The Ambassador assured the Foreign Minister that Post staff was working in coordination with Saudi government officials on this issue. The FM stated that the Saudis wish to avoid an incident similar to the one experienced by the UAE convoy the other day (Ref B). ¶2. (C) Secondly, the Ambassador raised the visa issue of Riyadh Consul General-Designate Ted Halstead, who has not received his visa following the submission of his application on July 1. The Foreign Minister seemed genuinely surprised and said that he would check into it (Note: Post learned today Consul General-Designate Halstead's visa has been issued and he is expected shortly. End Note.). ¶3. (S) Lastly, the Ambassador thanked the SAG for assistance in denying overflight of the Syrian IL-76 from Tehran to Damascus (Ref C),and informed the Foreign Minister that there were indications that Tehran might try it again. The Ambassador thanked the SAG for their assistance to Lebanon and to Prime Minister Abbas to aid the Palestinians. OBERWETTER