Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Iftar gossip

There was that tantalizing meeting of Saudi Prince Bandar and Russian President Putin a week ago. Well now this Reuters story presents a version of what happened:

Syrian opposition sources close to Saudi Arabia said Prince Bandar offered to buy up to $15 billion of Russian weapons as well as ensuring that Gulf gas would not threaten Russia's position as a main gas supplier to Europe. In return, Saudi Arabia wanted Moscow to ease its strong support of Assad and agree not to block any future Security Council Resolution on Syria, they said. A Gulf source familiar with the matter confirmed that Prince Bandar offered to buy large quantities of arms from Russia, but that no cash amount was specified in the talks. One Lebanese politician close to Saudi Arabia said the meeting between Bandar and Putin lasted four hours. "The Saudis were elated about the outcome of the meeting," said the source, without elaborating.

What Lebanese politician would be close enough to Saudi Arabia to have that kind of information?

Makkah, Ramadan 25, 1434, Aug 3, 2013, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received, separately, at Al-Safa Palace here today, visiting Yemeni President Abdo Rabo Mansur Hadi and the accompanying delegation and the former Lebanese Premier Saad Al-Hariri. The King held an Iftar banquet in honor of his guests. Both the audience and the banquet were attended by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdul-Ilah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier, Advisor to and Special Envoy of the Custodian Two Holy Mosques; Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed, Minister of Education; Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; other princes and the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja.