Zaki Demands Dismissal of Kordahi as Prelude to Solve Row with KSA
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Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, visits Beirut and points out there is a possible way out of the diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf states.
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Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, meets the Lebanese President, Michel Aoun
Lebanese government sources confirmed that the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, demanded the dismissal of Kordahi as a prelude to solving the row with KSA.
At the same time, the sources indicated to Al Mayadeen that Zaki refused to provide guarantees that Riyadh would reverse its steps toward Lebanon if Kordahi resigns. He stressed that Beirut was informed of Saudi hints to start partial deportation of Lebanese citizens from the KSA if Zaki's mission fails.
Today, Zaki said that there is "some progress toward resolving the diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf states, which was caused by statements criticizing the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen," noting that there is "a hole in the wall [of the crisis] that we can cross through."
Zaki said that he reported the Arab League's stance from the crisis to the officials he met.
Zaki pointed out that "his meeting with Aoun was frank and positive, and that he found a prelude to solving the crisis," adding that "the issue is not simple, and it is beyond a minister's description of what is happening in Yemen," referring to the statements of the Lebanese Minister of Information, George Kordahi.
Aoun: Resolving the dispute between Lebanon and KSA requires a sincere dialogue
After his meeting with the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League at the Presidential Palace, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that "resolving the dispute between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia requires a sincere dialogue between the two countries," stressing that the positions of the Lebanese state must be separated from what is issued by individuals or groups who were not in a position of responsibility.
الأمين العام المساعد لجامعة الدول العربية السفير حسام زكي بعد لقائه الرئيس عون: إذا احتاج الأمر لزيارة إلى السعودية سأقوم بها ولكن يجب أن نلمس حلحلة في الأزمة وأجواء اللقاء مع الرئيس عون إيجابية
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) November 8, 2021
In his turn, Zaki said after the meeting, "We came to find out whether there is a possibility of bringing views together for it is our goal to maintain the Lebanese and the Gulf interests," adding, "If it is necessary to visit Saudi Arabia, I will do so, but we must see a solution to the crisis, and the atmosphere of the meeting with President Aoun was positive."
Aoun then responded, "Lebanon will not hesitate to take any position that helps set the appropriate atmosphere for frankness that takes into account national sovereignty and mutual concern for the institutionalization of relations."
