Saudi Arabia seeks extradition from Lebanon of man who threatened embassy

A Saudi flag flutters atop the Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Beirut, Lebanon Might 18, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

BEIRUT, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari stated the dominion is searching for the arrest and extradition from Lebanon of a Saudi man who threatened the dominion’s embassy in Beirut final week.

“We name upon the competent Lebanese authorities to undertake the required authorized procedures relating to the terrorist threats,” Bukhari stated following a gathering with Lebanon’s inside minister.

Lebanese and Saudi authorities say the particular person behind the recorded threats was a Saudi man named Ali Hashem. Reuters couldn’t independently affirm the knowledge and was not in a position to contact the person.

Lebanese Inside Minister Bassam Mawlawi final week requested safety forces to probe the recorded loss of life threats out of “concern for Lebanon’s curiosity and safety and good relations with brotherly nations, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Some Lebanese officers have tried to enhance ties with Saudi Arabia, as soon as a significant donor, after years of pressure over the rising affect in Lebanon of Hezbollah, which is assessed by each Riyadh and the US as a terrorist group.

Relations hit a low final yr when Saudi Arabia banned imports of Lebanese items over drug smuggling issues after which recalled its ambassador after vital feedback by a pro-Hezbollah minister. The ambassador has since returned.

Bukhari referred to as on Lebanese safety forces to proceed cracking down on illicit drug smuggling to Saudi Arabia, noting the dominion has seized 700 million narcotic capsules and lots of of kilos of cannabis smuggled from or by way of Lebanon since 2015.

Reporting by Timour Azhari; Modifying by Frank Jack Daniel

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