The Saudi response to Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Shara’s description of Saudi Arabia’s role as “paralyzed” at the Arab and Islamic levels reflected the “unprecedented” deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries. Yesterday, the “accusatory” debate continued between Riyadh and Damascus against the background of the positions launched by Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Shara in which he announced the existence of a “defect” in his country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, holding the latter responsible.
This debate has been transmitted to the representatives of the people in both countries, just as the Syrian opposition has entered into the plan of the Syrian opposition abroad. After Riyadh responded to Shara, describing his statements as “profanity” and stressing that “they included many lies and fallacies aimed at harming the Kingdom”, Damascus commented yesterday on the Saudi response. Suleiman Haddad, Chairman of the Arab Affairs Committee in the People’s Assembly, considered that the statement issued by Riyadh was “unnecessary and cruel, and subjective.” He pointed out that the “paralysis” meant by Shara in his statements is not limited to Saudi Arabia alone.
“It exists in the Arab nation, and all of it is paralyzed in its decisions.”
For its part, the opposition Syrian Salvation Front (headed by former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam) condemned Shara’s recent statements and considered them an extension of the previous attack and campaigns launched by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian intelligence services against the Kingdom and Arab leaders. The Front pointed out that the positions of Shara explained “the reality of the Baathist regime’s policy aimed at severing Syria’s relations with Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia,” saying that “Assad wants to justify linking Syria to the Iranian strategy.”
On the other hand, a member of the Saudi Shura Council, Mohammed Abdullah Zalfa, yesterday accused Syria of transforming itself into a tool to pass some regional policies in the region. He explained that “the Saudi position is crystal clear and stands with Arab issues and stands at the same distance from Arab differences, in order to contribute to solving the problems that, unfortunately, are ignited by Syria, which has turned into a system similar to that of the organization that wants to cause problems in the region more than it wants to turn it off.”
He added, “Let’s look at what is happening in Lebanon, the relentless campaign launched by some Damascus agents against Saudi Arabia and against Saudi positions on working to stabilize Lebanon, and the daily Syrian intervention in Lebanese affairs.”
He stressed that “Saudi Arabia is working to stabilize Lebanon and bring the views closer between the parliamentary majority and the minority, while Syria has a long list of interventions, assassinations, and arms smuggling.”
