Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that he supports Saudi Arabia in its latest standoff with Iran, while urging both sides to de-escalate tensions after rumors that the Sunni powerhouse was behind Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri’s resignation last week. In a meeting with a group of journalists, Sisi said he was against taking military action against Iran or the Teheran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, stressing the Middle East is experiencing enough turmoil as it is. “I am always against war,” he said, stressing the importance of de-escalation. His statement comes after Lebanon was thrown into political crisis on November 4 when Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced from the Saudi capital Riyadh that he was resigning. Lebanese officials and prominent societal figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, has since called on Hariri’s return amid accusations he is being held against his will. On the same day as Hariri’s announcement, Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile from Yemen on its way towards a Saudi airport. The Yemeni militant Houthi movement, who the Saudis says is backed by Iran, was accused of firing the missile. Saudi Arabia then accused Iran of declaring war against it…
