In recent weeks, Lebanese authorities have been investigating the so-called “Abu Omar” affair — a fraud case involving a man who posed as a Saudi prince and allegedly extracted money from senior Lebanese officials by claiming he could act as their intermediary with Riyadh.

The fake prince, who for years claimed to have close ties to Saudi decision-makers and succeeded in gaining the trust of members of parliament and other high-ranking figures, was in fact Mustafa al-Hassan, a Lebanese man from the Akkar region. Al-Hassan, a car mechanic with no connection whatsoever to Saudi Arabia, allegedly conducted all contact by phone and insisted he did not operate through official diplomatic channels — a claim that later deepened suspicions against him.

According to Lebanese outlet LBCI, the office of the public prosecutor is continuing its investigation. Authorities have reportedly established that Abu Omar worked to promote Najib Mikati for the post of prime minister, together with several members of parliament with whom he cultivated relationships. However, once it became clear that Nawaf Salam had stronger chances of forming a government, Abu Omar distanced himself from Mikati.