Beirut – There is a hadith who says, “Instigation is dormant, as curses those who have awakened it.” However, Saudi media has not missed the opportunity to incite public sentiment towards Shiites recently. This reflects Saudi Arabia’s position consistent with American Zionist pressure to disarm resistance, which is Hezbollah’s common name.
Within a week, for example, Al Arabia conducted four provocative interviews with President Joseph Orn, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Lebanese military leader Samir Gigea and Mar Bechala Butros Al Rahi, the head of the Maronite family. These interviews are read as systematic and are intended to issue provocative positions, particularly against Hezbollah and Shiites.
On a disappointing stand, Al-Rahi also argues there is “a decisive Lebanese consensus on implementing a decision to disarm Hezbollah.”
In response, Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan states, “There is no power on earth that can disarm Hezbollah.”
In an interview with the Saudi Arabia Channel, Al-Rahi also denounced resistance to submitting to “blatant” Iranian instructions, saying, “Declaring ultimate loyalty to Lebanon.”
Al-Rahi also argued that “Shia denominations are tired of war and want to live in peace,” adding that “there is no objection to a future peace with Israel, where the situation is appropriate.”
In response, Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan said, “The Shiites of Lebanon defeated the most frightening Israeli Nath army at the border despite the absolute support of the highly advanced Arsenal and all Israeli allies…
He said, “As a reminder, Iran crushed the Middle East project and crushed the hopes of Washington and Tel Aviv, thriving with terrorism, occupation and destruction. Iran was the one that Washington and Tel Aviv took away the dreams of Greater Israel.”
A recent study conducted by the Al-Akhbar newspaper shows that over 230 articles on Hezbollah were monitored by five major Saudi Arabian newspapers (April 9 to August 11, 2025).
The Saudi columnist repeatedly emphasized the “necessity” for the Lebanese state to adopt “decisive action” and “radical approach” and “disarming”, saying Lebanon is in a powerless state and is a “hostage” for Hezbollah.
A study by Al-Akhbar shows that this Saudi agitation shows Riyadh feels a great opportunity to push Hezbollah down, and that he blames all Lebanese if all Lebanese fail to act.
Among the points identified in this study are:
– portraying Hezbollah’s weapons as illegal, threatening the existence of the nation.
– Be responsible for disarming the Lebanese army.
– Threatens that economic aid will not be given to Lebanon unless resistance is disarmed and ties with Iran are cut off.
– Saudi Arabian orders will threaten to disobey and expel Lebanon from the “Arab fold” again.
The study concluded that Riyadh is determined to drive the Lebanese army into conflict with resistance. It points to a recent leaked statement by Saudi envoy Yazid bin Fahan when arguing that his pressure on Lebanon could push Lebanon into the Civil War. He replied: “It’s (civil war)!”
The deadline for the Army to submit plans to own Hezbollah’s weapons, and updates to Unifil’s mission, American missions, Thomas Barrack and Morgan Ortags’ visits will follow, followed by other exploratory visits by Congressional senators towards more escalating options in Lebanon.
During a meeting with Council President Navi Beri, a senior councillor told Barrack: It will lead to failure in your mission. ”
On his part, in a political security briefing to the American mission, President Joseph Orn detailed the need to expand UNIFIL’s mission without changing its number and mandate, given that Lebanese forces have not yet completed their deployment in the South and need its support and presence.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s mission to the United Nations received support from 14 countries for the initial extension of UNIFIL, without specifying mechanisms or periods.
Both Washington and Tel Aviv are opposed to the extension of UNIFIL Mandate, which has been deployed since 1978 on the borders of Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory.
The UN Security Council is expected to witness diplomatic conflicts between parties that support the extension and those seeking reductions or termination of their mandate.
The resolution submitted by France will extend Unifil’s duties until August 31, 2026. The Lebanese government will then become “the only security guarantor in southern Lebanon.”
The resolution is scheduled to be voted on August 25th, but Israeli media reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had sent an official letter to his counterpart Marco Rubio, demanding that Unifil cease operations in southern Lebanon. He argues Unifil has failed its main mission to prevent the establishment of Hezbollah, south of the Ritani River.