Kuwaiti FM: Beirut visit coordinated with GCC
During his visit to Lebanon, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister calls on Lebanese authorities to take "practical and concrete measures" that could bolster ties with the GCC.
-
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister affirmed that there was no severing of diplomatic relations with Lebanon.
Kuwait's Foreign Minister met Saturday with the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in the first visit of a prominent Gulf official to Lebanon since the crisis that followed the statements of former Lebanese Minister of Information George Kordahi.
During his meeting with Mikati, 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 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 various international efforts to restore trust with Lebanon."
He added that the Kuwaiti and Gulf vision of Lebanon is to be strong and able to fulfill its international obligations," noting that the "GCC countries are in solidarity with Lebanon."
Al-Sabah also called on Lebanese authorities to take "practical and concrete measures" that could bolster ties.
Strengthening cooperation with GCC
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.
Earlier last month, Lebanese President Michel Aoun underlined that Lebanon's keenness on relations with the Gulf states must be reciprocal.
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 absurd.
The repercussions of the crisis developed to include several Gulf countries ( Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain) that took similar positions to their neighbor.
