Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has called for justice for other Hezbollah crimes after one of its members, Salim Jamil Ayyash, was convicted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon over for the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia considers the judicial ruling as the emergence of truth and the beginning of achieving justice by pursuing, arresting and punishing those involved.”

“The Kingdom's government, by calling for justice and the punishment of Hezbollah and its criminal elements, stresses the need to protect Lebanon, the region and the world from the terrorist practices of this party.”

Seeking peace and security in Lebanon and the region, Saudi Arabia termed Hezbollah as a tool of the Iranian regime and called for efforts to prevent it from procuring weapons.

“This party (Hezbollah), is considered a tool of the Iranian regime and has proven its involvement in sabotage and terrorist acts in many countries, and the assassination of Mr. Rafik Hariri was one of the most affecting crimes on the security and stability of Lebanon.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aspires for peace and security to prevail in Lebanon by ending the unlawful possession and use of weapons and strengthening the Lebanese state for the benefit of all its citizens without exception,” the statement added.

The ministry also said that the dear Lebanese people deserve stability in their homeland, growth in their economy, and security that dispels terrorism.