Saud was quoted in a U.S. embassy cable that reported a 2008 meeting
between the Saudi foreign minister and State Department official David
Satterfield. The cable, released by WikiLeaks, portrayed the Saudi
leadership as alarmed by the domination of Hizbullah in Lebanon as well as
in neighboring Arab states.
"Specifically, Saud argued for an 'Arab force' to create and maintain
order in and around Beirut," the U.S. cable said. "The U.S. and NATO would
need to provide transport and logistical support, as well as 'naval and air
cover'. Saud said that a Hizbullah victory in Beirut would mean the end of
the Siniora government and the 'Iranian takeover' of Lebanon."
The Saudi foreign minister was quoted as saying that Hizbullah was
receiving support from both Iran and Syria. Saud also warned that Iran was
expanding throughout the region and using Shi'ites to undermine Sunni Arab
states.
"Saud said that of all the regional fronts on which Iran was now
advancing, the battle in Lebanon to secure peace would be an 'easier battle
to win' than Iraq or on the Palestinian front," the cable said.
The Saudi minister said Hizbullah represented a military threat that
could be resolved only by force. He said the proposed Arab force should be
deployed in Beirut under the cover of the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon.
"Saud argued that the present situation in Beirut was 'entirely
military' and that the solution must be military as well," the cable said.
"The Lebanese Armed Forces were too fragile to bear more pressure. They
needed urgent backing to secure Beirut from Hizbullah's assault."
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora was said to have supported the
Saudi plan. Egypt and Jordan were also briefed, but the cable did not report
their response.
The United States, however, did not endorse the Saudi proposal.
Satterfield was said to have questioned the Arab force, but added that
Washington would examine any Arab decision.
"Satterfield said that the 'political and military' feasibility of the
undertaking Saud had outlined
would appear very much open to question," the cable said. "In particular,
attempting to establish a new mandate for UNIFIL would be very problematic."