Kuwaiti FM from Beirut: Arab, international message for Lebanon
Kuwait's Foreign Minister continues his meetings with Lebanese officials with a Gulf, Arab, and international message, what could it be?
After his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah said he is carrying a Kuwaiti, Gulf, Arab, and international message for Lebanon.
According to the Kuwaiti Minister, the message includes a list of suggested measures necessary to rebuild confidence with Gulf countries.
Al Sabah's proposals
Al Mayadeen's correspondent at Baabda Palace revealed that the Kuwaiti Minister touched on the GCC conditions to restore relations with Lebanon and lift the punitive measures imposed on the country.
Our correspondent added that Al-Sabah's proposals do not differ from the joint French-Saudi statement that was issued during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Riyadh and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The Lebanese Prime Minister's close circles confirmed to Al Mayadeen that the proposed measures will be discussed with the Lebanese President and Parliament Speaker.
Riyadh, Hariri relationship at its lowest
It is noteworthy that the Kuwaiti Minister did not request a meeting with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, which shows that the relationship between Riyadh and Hariri is at its lowest ebb, mentioned Al Mayadeen's correspondent.
During his meeting with Mikati on Saturday, Kuwaiti Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah said there is a mutual desire for Lebanon to regain its glory by not "interfering" in Gulf affairs.
The Minister affirmed there was no severing of diplomatic relations with Lebanon, and that the Kuwaiti Ambassador's withdrawal from Beirut was merely for consultation, indicating that the visit is in coordination with all Gulf countries.
"Restore trust to Lebanon"
In a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, the Kuwaiti Minister stressed that Lebanon "should avoid interfering in the internal affairs of Arab states generally," noting that "this visit is one of the various international efforts to restore trust with Lebanon."
He added that the Kuwaiti and Gulf vision for Lebanon is for it to be strong and able to fulfill its international obligations, noting that the "GCC countries are in solidarity with Lebanon."
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati affirmed that Beirut looks forward to restoring and strengthening cooperation with the GCC countries.
Mikati thanked Kuwait for its help and support for Lebanon at all times and conditions and for embracing the Lebanese.
Kordahi's resignation
It is noteworthy that on December 3, 2021, Lebanon's former Minister of Information George Kordahi submitted his resignation.
"I do not wish to be a cause of harm to Lebanon and my fellow Lebanese [residing] in Gulf states because Lebanon is more important than I," he said after his resignation.
Riyadh announced at the end of last October that it had summoned its Ambassador to Lebanon for consultations, and requested that the Lebanese Ambassador leaves within 48 hours, following the publication of an interview with Kordahi before he was appointed a Minister describing the war on Yemen as "futile".
The repercussions of the crisis developed to include several Gulf countries (Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain) that took similar positions to their neighbor.