Lebanon: Rai Calls on Authorities to Defuse Crisis with Gulf
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai called on the authorities on Sunday to take a "decisive step" to defuse a crisis with Gulf Arab states over offensive comments made by Information Minister George Kordahi. Rai, who made the plea to President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati in his Sunday sermon, did not suggest any specific measure. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries expelled Lebanese envoys in a diplomatic spat following offensive comments against Saudi Arabia made by Kordahi. Saudi Arabia expelled Lebanon's envoy and banned all Lebanese imports on Friday, and Bahrain and Kuwait followed suit, giving the top Lebanese diplomats 48 hours to exit. The United Arab Emirates later said it would withdraw all its diplomats and banned its citizens from travelling to Lebanon. For his part, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said on Saturday the latest crisis with Lebanon has its origins in a Lebanese political setup that reinforces the dominance of the Iran-backed Hezbollah armed group and continues to allow endemic instability.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3276946/lebanon-rai-calls-authorities-defuse-crisis-gulf
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