Tillerson warns against Lebanon proxy wars after Hariri crisis

 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson  has warned other countries against using Lebanon for proxy conflicts,  following a crisis triggered by the resignation of its prime minister,  Saad Hariri. Iran and its Lebanese ally, the militant Shia group Hezbollah, claim the Saudis detained Mr Hariri and forced his resignation. Mr Tillerson said he had received assurances that Mr Hariri is free.Mr Hariri resigned a week ago while in the Saudi capital, Riyadh."There  is no legitimate place or role in Lebanon for any foreign forces,  militias or armed elements other than the legitimate security forces of  the Lebanese state," Mr Tillerson said in a statement."The United  States strongly supports the sovereignty and independence of the  Republic of Lebanon and of its political institutions," he added.Mr  Tillerson encouraged the prime minister to return to Lebanon and  clarify the situation so the government could function, expressing  concern about how the crisis might affect the stability of the fragile  coalition.The delay in response from America's top diplomat - it  took him six days to respond to the crisis - has renewed criticism that  the US lacks a strategy for the crucial region. 

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• Riyadh's night of long knives and long-range missiles

Under the direction of Saudi Arabia's crown prince and heir to  the throne Mohammed bin Salman, a new anti-corruption body last week  detained 11 of the kingdom's princes, four sitting ministers and dozens  of ex-ministers.President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday to say  he had "great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi  Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing..."Appearing to  contradict the president, not for the first time, Mr Tillerson said on  Friday: "My own view is that it does, it raises a few concerns until we  see more clearly how these particular individuals are dealt with."