LEBANON: SAUDIS REPORTEDLY ARMING SUNNI SALAFISTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 000949 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM A/S KIMMITT, NEA/FO, NEA/ELA NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO DOD/OSD FOR EDELMAN/LONG E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER PINR SA SY LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: SAUDIS REPORTEDLY ARMING SUNNI SALAFISTS IN THE NORTH REF: A. BEIRUT 841 ¶B. BEIRUT 948 BEIRUT 00000949 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Tripoli MP Mosbah Ahdab expressed deep concern to the Charge on June 30 that Saudi Arabic has started arming Sunni extremist Salafists in northern Lebanon. Ahdab alleged that the Saudis are trying "a new strategy" because they are disappointed with the violence that took place in May and with majority leader Saad Hariri's performance. Ahdab acknowledged that the Salafists are "useful" to use as a threat against Hizballah, but believes that they should not actually be armed. Ahdab wants to see a civil organization formed for the March 14 Sunnis, which would include moderate clerics, to promote moderation. According to Ahdab, some Syrian soldiers have joined the fighting in Lebanon in civilian clothes, against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's orders. Ahdab remains frustrated with March 14 leader Saad Hariri's lack of leadership. Ahdab saw both President Sleiman and Prime Minister Siniora on June 30 morning. Sleiman also recently met with a former Embassy Beirut Defense Attache, now in the private sector, who shared that Sleiman believes the USG could help Lebanon by trying to engage Syria constructively. End summary. SAUDIS ARMING SALAFISTS IN THE NORTH -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 30, the Charge hosted March 14-aligned MP Mosbah Ahdab to a luncheon, also attended by Defense Attache and EmbOffs. Ahdab, who is from Tripoli, stated with confidence that the Sunni extremist Salafists in northern Lebanon are receiving arms from Saudi Arabia via majority leader Saad Hariri. "Ahbaj" Islamic Charitable Project Association member Kenaan Naji, also a Sunni from Tripoli, informed Ahdab of this last week, the MP said. Ahdab reported he received no response from anyone in Saad's circle when he sought confirmation. ¶3. (C) Acknowledging that he and Saad are "in a fight" (because Saad refused to give Ahdab a cabinet position, Ref A),Ahdab declared that he is still allied with March 14 and remains objective in his strong opposition to arming the Salafists. Ahdab said that, in the media, he defends and protects the Salafists "because it is useful to threaten others," but in reality, he does not believe they should actually be armed. ¶4. (C) Ahdab added that the Salafists make up less than half a percent of the Sunnis in Tripoli, and that the fighters claiming to be Salafists are really Sunnis who are lured into the clashes to defend themselves. "The real Salafists have not yet entered the fight," he warned. SAUDIS LOOKING FOR A NEW STRATEGY -------------- ¶5. (C) According to Ahdab, the Saudis are upset at what transpired in May, and further irritated by their loss of power to the Qataris vis-a-vis Lebanon. Ahdab said the Saudis are looking for a new strategy, and are inclined to throw their support behind caretaker Minister of Transport and Public Works Mohammed Safadi. Ahdab warned that this is dangerous, quoting Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora as saying, "I have more problems working with Safadi than with (Hizballah) Minister of Energy and Water Mohammed Fneish!" In addition to questioning the efficacy of Saad, Ahdab said the Saudis believe that the path of moderation failed them, and are now looking to try something else, i.e., arming the Salafists. (Note: Ahdab never mentioned which Saudi official or ruling family member he might be referring to. End Note.) SAAD'S OVERALL STRUCTURE BEIRUT 00000949 002.2 OF 003 NEEDS REVAMPING -------------- ¶6. (C) Venting his frustration with Saad and March 14, Ahdab assured t