Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1136
2008-07-22 14:27:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
C-NE8-01188 - SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE ON
how-toVZCZCXRO3356 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #1136 2041427 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 221427Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8839 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 9640 RUEHRH/CHUSMTM RIYADH SA IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUMICEA/USCINCCENT INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T RIYADH 001136
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: IR IS LE MCAP MOPS PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: C-NE8-01188 - SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE ON
LEBANON
REF: SECSTATE 69176
S E C R E T RIYADH 001136
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: IR IS LE MCAP MOPS PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: C-NE8-01188 - SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE ON
LEBANON
REF: SECSTATE 69176
1. (S/NF) The following is post's response based on
various discussions with our interlocutors in response
to INR's inquiry regarding Saudi Arabian views on Lebanon
(Reftel):
A. (S/NF) How do senior officials in Saudi Arabia see the
political situation in Lebanon developing over the next year?
There is a general negative Saudi view of the situation in
Lebanon. While the Saudis are heartened by the formation of
PM Siniora's government, they consider Hezbollah as the
dominant, and destabilizing, force in Lebanon. The Saudis see
Hezbollah as a proxy for aggressive Iranian expansionism.
B. (S/NF) How do Saudi officials believe their allies in
Lebanon have been affected by the Doha agreement?
The Saudi consensus is that the Doha Agreement was a
Hezbollah victory. As such, they view it as a loss for their
Lebanese allies.
C. (S/NF) Do Saudi officials foresee a continuing power
struggle in Lebanon?
Yes. The Saudis consider Hezbollah as continually getting
stronger in all regards - militarily, politically and
economically. The only effective counter they see to
Hezbollah is the Lebanese Army, which they evaluate as
currently weak and ill-equipped.
D. (S/NF) What are Saudi officials prepared to do to help
their Lebanese allies?
The Saudis will continue to support their Lebanese allies,
both directly and through multilateral engagement, to garner
regional support with Arab partners while also countering
Syrian and Iranian intervention and influence.
E. (S/NF) What might the Saudis expect the USG to provide to
their allies in Lebanon?
The Saudis likewise look to the USG to follow suit in support
of their Lebanese allies. The most practical, in Saudi
opinion, is USG assistance to strengthen the Lebanese Army in
order to directly counter Hezbollah.
F. (S/NF) What role do the Saudis see Iran and Syria playing
with their allies in Lebanon and how do they intend to
respond to each?
The Saudis view both Syria and Iran as their adversaries in
Lebanon, with Iran being the main threat and effectively
pulling the strings on Syria and Hezbollah, while Syria is
simply an Arab turncoat. Saudi Arabia's view is that only
realistic way to counter Iran is through UN sanctions, and
economic and diplomatic isolation. Regarding Syria, the SAG
will continue to isolate Syria politically within the Arab
community while seeking to have it rejoin the Arab consensus
and distance itself from Iran.
GFOELLER
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: IR IS LE MCAP MOPS PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: C-NE8-01188 - SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE ON
LEBANON
REF: SECSTATE 69176
1. (S/NF) The following is post's response based on
various discussions with our interlocutors in response
to INR's inquiry regarding Saudi Arabian views on Lebanon
(Reftel):
A. (S/NF) How do senior officials in Saudi Arabia see the
political situation in Lebanon developing over the next year?
There is a general negative Saudi view of the situation in
Lebanon. While the Saudis are heartened by the formation of
PM Siniora's government, they consider Hezbollah as the
dominant, and destabilizing, force in Lebanon. The Saudis see
Hezbollah as a proxy for aggressive Iranian expansionism.
B. (S/NF) How do Saudi officials believe their allies in
Lebanon have been affected by the Doha agreement?
The Saudi consensus is that the Doha Agreement was a
Hezbollah victory. As such, they view it as a loss for their
Lebanese allies.
C. (S/NF) Do Saudi officials foresee a continuing power
struggle in Lebanon?
Yes. The Saudis consider Hezbollah as continually getting
stronger in all regards - militarily, politically and
economically. The only effective counter they see to
Hezbollah is the Lebanese Army, which they evaluate as
currently weak and ill-equipped.
D. (S/NF) What are Saudi officials prepared to do to help
their Lebanese allies?
The Saudis will continue to support their Lebanese allies,
both directly and through multilateral engagement, to garner
regional support with Arab partners while also countering
Syrian and Iranian intervention and influence.
E. (S/NF) What might the Saudis expect the USG to provide to
their allies in Lebanon?
The Saudis likewise look to the USG to follow suit in support
of their Lebanese allies. The most practical, in Saudi
opinion, is USG assistance to strengthen the Lebanese Army in
order to directly counter Hezbollah.
F. (S/NF) What role do the Saudis see Iran and Syria playing
with their allies in Lebanon and how do they intend to
respond to each?
The Saudis view both Syria and Iran as their adversaries in
Lebanon, with Iran being the main threat and effectively
pulling the strings on Syria and Hezbollah, while Syria is
simply an Arab turncoat. Saudi Arabia's view is that only
realistic way to counter Iran is through UN sanctions, and
economic and diplomatic isolation. Regarding Syria, the SAG
will continue to isolate Syria politically within the Arab
community while seeking to have it rejoin the Arab consensus
and distance itself from Iran.
GFOELLER