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Ahram Online
The Arab League pressed on Monday for an easing of tension between Lebanon and Gulf Arab states. The rift grew following a Lebanese Minister’s comments on the Yemen war.
“We do not want this situation to continue. We want a breakthrough, a détente in this relationship”, Arab League’s assistant Secretary General, Hossam Zaki, told a press conference in Beirut.
The diplomatic rift, which threatens to plunge Lebanon deeper into meltdown, prompted Saudi Arabia and some of its allies to recall ambassadors and block imports from Lebanon.
Import restrictions are a further blow to a country in financial and political ruin. It threatens a weak Lebanese government struggling to secure international aid, mainly from its wealthy Arab neighbours.
The dispute was triggered by comments by Information Minister George Kordahi in a pre-recorded interview, which was aired in late October.
Kordahi characterised the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen since 2015, as an “external futile aggression”. His remarks sparked rebukes from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The diplomatic rift has prompted calls for the resignation of Kordahi, however, he told local media “it is out of the question”.
Zaki stopped short of calling for Kordahi to quit, but suggested it was necessary.
“There is a crisis which everyone can see and is aware of, and the majority of people know how to solve it”, Zaki noted.
The powerful Shia Hezbollah movement, backed by Riyadh’s arch rival Iran, has opposed calls for Kordahi’s resignation, saying; “he did not commit any wrong doing”.
