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Gulf Arab Support of Lebanon Waning, Analysts Say

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN - Lebanon should not expect help from Persian Gulf Arab states in
   bailing the country out from its severe financial and economic woes,
   according to analysts.

   Emile Hokayem, the'¯senior fellow for Middle East Security at London's
   International Institute for Strategic Studies,'¯called past Gulf
   financial and political investments in Lebanon "costly and bruising,"
   without achieving a clear outcome or benefit.

   Instead, Hokayem said, Lebanese politicians "milked those connections
   for local gains."'¯'¯

   "In Saudi [Arabia], but also elsewhere, people realize the Lebanese
   state nor the Hariri dynasty can do much about Hezbollah's support, for
   instance, for the Houthis in Yemen -- and that goes to the heart of
   Gulf national security," he said. "Lebanon is also seen increasingly as
   a source of threat to the Gulf states -- whether it's Hezbollah and
   assumed desire to manipulate and provoke or spy on behalf of the
   Iranians -- I'm describing the perception. There is immense
   frustration."'¯'¯'¯'¯

   Hokayem said that while Lebanese talent "was central to the development
   of the Gulf states in the past, this is no longer the case" and there
   is a "generational change" of perception among the Gulf's younger
   leaders away from their elders, such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin
   Salman, who he said have other priorities for their countries and the
   region.'¯

   Still, Paul Salem, president of the Washington-based Middle East
   Institute, said he believes diplomacy by France and the incoming Biden
   administration in the United States could effectively address Lebanon's
   dire economic and political crisis beyond using sanctions to exert
   pressure on the country's politicians to bring about change. '¯

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