Diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, around the war in Yemen

Published on : 10/29/2021 – 10:33 PM

Tensions are mounting between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon after criticism from the Lebanese Minister of Information against the intervention of the military coalition in Yemen, led by Riyadh. Saudi Arabia decided, Friday, October 29, to “recall its ambassador to Lebanon for consultations and asked the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom to leave the territory within 48 hours,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has also decided to “stop all Lebanese imports”, it is specified. The kingdom “regrets” the deterioration of relations with Lebanon, according to the press release which adds that “other measures will be taken”, without specifying them.

In a television program dated August 5 and broadcast on Monday, Georges Kordahi, current Lebanese Minister of Information, but who was not yet a member of the government at the time, described the war waged since 2015 as “absurd”. in Yemen by the military coalition in support of the government, and felt that it was “time for it to stop”.

The former star television presenter added that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels were defending themselves “in the face of external aggression” and that “their homes, villages, marriages and burials were being shelled” by the coalition.

Riyadh said Wednesday that the remarks “undermined the efforts of the coalition” and were “not in harmony with the historical relations” between Beirut and the kingdom. Saudi Arabia, as well as the United Arab Emirates – a member of the coalition – then summoned the ambassadors of Lebanon to their country.

Embarrassment in Lebanon

In a statement on Lebanese television on Wednesday, Georges Kordahi said he made the remarks reflecting his “personal opinion” before his appointment on September 10. He assured that he “did not attack Saudi Arabia”, but refrained from apologizing.

The case has embarrassed Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, especially since Lebanon is still counting on potential financial aid from the Gulf to revive its collapsing economy.

In a statement, Najib Mikati said that Georges Kordahi’s statements “in no way reflect the position of the government” which is “concerned with maintaining the best relations” with Riyadh. The case received a lot of commentary on social media, reflecting the political divisions in Lebanon between pro and anti-Saudis.

In a tweet, Yemeni Information Minister Muammar al-Iryani criticized Mr. Kordahi for failing to mention the rebel abuses. The war in Yemen, which began in 2014, left tens of thousands of people dead, most of them civilians, and millions of people displaced.

With AFP