BEIRUT, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said Sunday that the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri reflected a wider regional problem.
Speaking to local media Voice of Lebanon, Zasypkin called on supporters of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Lebanon to stop exchanging accusations.
"The problem is much bigger than what happened with the resigned premier, where there is Saudi-U.S. pressure and maybe Israeli pressure on Iran through Lebanon," Zasypkin said.
Hariri announced his resignation as prime minister on Nov. 4, in a statement broadcast from the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. He has not yet returned to Lebanon, and has made no public statements since his resignation address.
Zasypkin praised the role that Lebanese President Michel Aoun has been playing in managing crisis, pointing that Russia, France, the United States and Egypt were trying to help to put an end to the crisis.
Zasypkin also suggested that Lebanon raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council.
"Heading to the Security Council is the right of every state that feels its security in danger or that senses instability," Zasypkin said.
"We suggest sending a neutral international committee to Saudi Arabia to find out what is happening with Hariri," he added.
The ambassador also downplayed speculation about the possibility of an Israeli attack on Lebanon with Saudi's support, saying that no one has interest in going in that direction at the moment.
