Mikati: Saudi monarch started Arab Spring

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the Arab Spring started in 2002 with an initiative launched by Saudi monarch Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. “In 2002, the Arab Summit was held in Beirut and the then Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz launched an initiative to ensure the prevalence of peace in the region,” Mikati said in Al Arabiya TV during an interview from the French capital Paris. The initiative, Mikati explained, was meant to start a new era of Arab-Israeli peace, therefore setting the foundation for the Arab Spring. “No matter what happens in Arab countries, things will remain complicated as long as wars persist.” Mikati added that the Arab Spring was not about toppling regimes, but rather about setting the stage for peace so that the general atmosphere makes the region ready for further reforms. “This will only happen when war end and peace starts.” The relationship between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, Mikati added, was historic and will never be affected by anything or anyone. “I am sure I am always welcome in Saudi and I am planning to go there soon,” he said. Concerning relations with Syria, Mikati said that several factors needed to be taken into consideration. “First, we have historic relations with Syria as well as a common geography for we share 80 per cent of our land borders with Syria. There are also several protocols and treaties that we signed with the Syrian government,” said Mikati. The second factor, Mikati pointed out, is that Lebanon was keen on maintaining good relations with all Arab countries especially those with a prominent Lebanese diaspora. “This is something that cannot be overlooked. Lebanon will always be grateful to those countries,” he said. The third factor, said Mikati, is that Lebanon was internally divided over the Syrian issue and that is why taking an impartial stance was the best approach. “We have to preserve Lebanon’s unity through distancing ourselves from what is happening in Syria,” said the prime minister. According to Miktai, this stance does not mean ignoring the crisis in Syria, but instead, acting wisely. Deciding not to interfere in Syria, Mikati said, is a means of avoiding another civil war in Lebanon: “We do not want sedition to be exported to Lebanon, but we wish Syria peace and stability.” Mikati stated that the deployment of Lebanese military forces on the borders with Syria was based on a decision by the Supreme Defense Council in the meeting it held last month. “This decision was met with some criticism in the beginning, but now all parties welcome it. It is normal for any army anywhere in the world to protect the borders of its country.” This, he said, did not mean that Lebanon would be reluctant to support Syrian refugees. Mikati also denied that he was in touch with Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad. “I have known Bashar Al-Assad before he became president. Now, he has his responsibilities and I am busy with Lebanon’s internal affairs, so we do not contact each other on regular basis.”