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The Latest: Saudi Arabia Tells Its Citizens to Leave Lebanon

The Latest: Saudi Arabia Tells Its Citizens to Leave Lebanon

Thursday, 09 November 2017 09:38 AM EST

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Latest on developments in Saudi Arabia (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

Saudi Arabia has ordered its citizens out of Lebanon amid skyrocketing tensions between their two governments.

A brief statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency called on all Saudis living in or visiting Lebanon to depart, and warned against travel to the country.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shocked his country Saturday when he announced in a televised statement out of Saudi Arabia that he was resigning. He has not been seen in Lebanon since.

He said his country had been taken hostage by the militant group Hezbollah, a partner in his coalition government and a major foe of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia says it considers Hezbollah's participation in the Lebanese government an "act of war" against the kingdom.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he will not consider the premier's resignation until the two meet in person.

5 p.m.

Saudi Arabia's attorney general says the kingdom has called in 208 people for questioning in a sweeping probe, estimating that $100 billion has been misused through embezzlement and corruption in past decades.

Saud al-Mojeb said in a statement on Thursday that seven people were released without charge, leaving 201 people still detained.

Critics and observers say the purge that has targeted top princes, officials, military officers and businessmen is a power grab by the crown prince to sideline potential rivals and critics.

An estimated 1700 bank accounts have been frozen.

Al-Mojeb says action was taken to suspend personal bank accounts, but did not disclose any figures. The government has also declined to name the individuals being questioned, saying it is respecting their privacy during this phase of the process.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


MiddleEast
The Latest on developments in Saudi Arabia (all times local):5:30 p.m.Saudi Arabia has ordered its citizens out of Lebanon amid skyrocketing tensions between their two governments.A brief statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency called on all Saudis living in...
ML,Saudi Arabia,The Latest
286
2017-38-09
Thursday, 09 November 2017 09:38 AM
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