BEIRUT - In a statement yesterday, MP Saad Hariri defended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, he said, has long been a supporter of Lebanon. He was responding to accusation by Marada Mouvement leader Suleiman Franjieh who claimed that Saudi Arabia’s role was similar to Israel’s. Hariri also mentioned the Dialogue of Cultures Conference held in New York and he praised President Michel Suleiman’s speech, saying the speech is exceptional.