Saudi downplays leaks as chequebook diplomacy revealed

Thousands of diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks reveal how Saudi Arabia apparently uses its deep pockets to buy international support, but the kingdom insists it is doing nothing out of the ordinary.
 
The whistleblowing website has released about 70,000 documents it said were obtained from the Saudi foreign ministry, of more than half a million it says it received.
 
So far they paint what analysts say is the expected picture of a regional powerhouse courted for handouts and using its oil wealth to boost its influence.
 
Saudi officials have sought to downplay the leaks, while also warning citizens against websites posting "forged" cables.
 
A Saudi official told AFP the leaks contained "no surprises", and many dealt with personal matters instead of high-level diplomacy.
 
"Most of us were sad to see some personal issues going online," the official said.
 
The leaked cables, whose authenticity could not be confirmed by AFP, did reveal politicians and media organisations in Arab countries seeking cash in return for supporting Saudi policies.
 
One indicated that private Lebanese television channel MTV had been granted $2 million in funding in 2012 after asking for $20 million to fill a budget gap. In return, the channel was asked to support the kingdom "against opposing media".
 
Another cable showed the Saudi ambassador in Lebanon in 2012 recommending financial support to Lebanese Christian leader Samir Geagea after he complained of money problems.
 
Geagea has been vocal in supporting Riyadh's regional policies and its position on Syria while strongly opposing Lebanon's Iran-linked Hezbollah Shiite militia.
         
Other cables revealed that the foreign...