Lebanon’s PM urges Hezbollah not to attack Saudi

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam has urged the head of Shiite movement Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah to not attack Saudi and Gulf countries, in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News Channel late Monday.

Salam stressed the importance of strengthening Lebanon as a nation during an interview with Al Arabiya News Channel’s Panorama program which discussed whether it is “Lebanon's job to control Hezbollah's behavior?”

Last week, Gulf states declared Hezbollah a “terrorist” group, in the latest regional move against the organization fighting in support of Syria’s regime.

Gulf nations have taken a series of measures against Hezbollah since Saudi Arabia last month halted a $3 billion program funding French military supplies to Beirut.

Hezbollah is backed by Iran, with whom Saudi Arabia's relations have worsened this year. The two are on opposing sides in conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

Salam decried Hezbollah’s intervention in the region and said it has reflected negatively on Lebanon.

He hailed historic ties between Gulf states and Lebanon, and said relations are continuing.

The premier hailed Saudi Arabia for hosting and backing the Taif agreement in 1989, which provided “the basis for the ending of the civil war and the return to political normalcy in Lebanon.”