MIDEAST
Saudi opens Lebanon front in struggle with Iran
November 9, 2017 - A cold war between Saudi Arabia and its neighbour, arch-rival Iran, is intensifying as the two powers struggle to shape a regional order devoid of so-called Islamic State (IS).
The televised resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri from Riyadh and anti-corruption purge of senior ministers and princes under orders from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) come in the context of a regional power play by Saudi against Iran, Al Jazeera reports.
Over the past year, MbS has become the ultimate decision-maker for the kingdom’s military, foreign, economic and social policies, consolidating oversight of the armed forces, General Intelligence Directorate, and national guard.
MbS is engaged in a prolonged war in Yemen, a Saudi-led economic blockade against Qatar, and has hosted Shiite politician Muqtada al-Sadr to promote Arab unity between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and opened a dialogue with Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.