Saudi Arabia summons its Ambassador to Germany

RIYADH, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- Comments that were made by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, are considered "provoking and surprising" to the Saudi kingdom, a Saudi foreign ministry source said on Saturday.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the source as saying "the comments are considered as aimless and based on false information that would not help bringing about stability in the region." The source also said that "such remarks provoke the surprise and disapproval of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." "It is supposed that the statement made by the German foreign minister would not represent the position of the friendly government of Federal Republic of Germany, considered by the Kingdom as a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and the endeavor to bring about security and stability in the region," the source added.
"Accordingly, the Kingdom has decided to summon its ambassador to Germany for consultation and would hand over Germany's ambassador to the Kingdom a protest note refuting such outrageous and unjustified statements," the source concluded. (end) mdm.mb