Mikati Rejects Offense to Saudi Arabia, Urges Kordahi to Prioritize ‘National Interest’

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AP)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AP)
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Mikati Rejects Offense to Saudi Arabia, Urges Kordahi to Prioritize ‘National Interest’

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AP)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AP)

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed on Friday that his government is committed to forging good relations with Saudi Arabia, reiterating that the offensive comments by Information Minister George Kordahi do not represent official policy.

Mikati said he held talks with President Michel Aoun to tackle the latest developments after Saudi Arabia announced it was expelling the Lebanese ambassador in Riyadh, summoning its envoy in Beirut for consultations and imposing a blanket ban on all Lebanese imports. The Kingdom said the move will not affect tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens and their families who live and work in Saudi Arabia.

The PM then telephoned Kordahi, “asking him to prioritize the national interest and take the appropriate decision to restore Lebanon’s ties with Arab countries.”

He also requested that Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib remain in Beirut and cancel his trip to Glasgow where he was part of the Lebanese delegation at the United Nations climate summit so that he can follow up on the latest developments and form a crisis management cell.

Mikati regretted Saudi Arabia’s decision on Friday, saying: “We have long expressed our rejection to any offense to the Kingdom and we have called for mending relations that have been harmed in recent months.”

“Our ministerial statement has prioritized restoring the historic relations between Lebanon and its Arab brothers,” he continued.

Moreover, Mikati reiterated his assertion that Kordahi’s comments, which he made before assuming office, do not represent the stance of the government.

He hoped the Saudi leadership would reconsider its decision, while “we work hard to address its complaints.”

Addressing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said: “We categorically reject anything that harms the deep fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia.”

The Kingdom, he continued, “has always stood by the Lebanese people as they have confronted major challenges throughout long decades.”

“We are committed to all strong fraternal relations and we are keen on maintaining the best fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia and the brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he went on to say.

Mikati called on Arab leaders to help in overcoming this crisis in order to maintain Arab unity, adding that he will continue to carry out the necessary contacts to address the crisis and its fallout.

Commenting on the developments, head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt tweeted: “Enough catastrophes. Sack this minister, who is destroying our relations with the Arab Gulf, before it is too late. For how long will stupidity, conspiring and agents continue to hold sway over Lebanon’s internal and foreign policies?”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said the government needs to take a “swift and decisive position to prevent more tragedies from befalling the Lebanese people.”



Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it called Israel's genocide against Palestinians, which has left over 150,000 dead, injured, or missing, mostly women and children.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaking at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, criticized Israel’s attacks on civilians, violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority. He warned these actions undermine peace efforts and Palestinians’ rights.

The Crown Prince also criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories, including halting operations by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

He pledged Saudi support for Palestinians and Lebanese people facing the ongoing Israeli attacks. The Crown Prince urged the international community to act immediately to stop the violence and protect peace.

Dr. Hesham Alghannam of the Carnegie Middle East Center highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strong stance, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide”—the Kingdom’s harshest condemnation of Israel’s human rights violations.

Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian Authority (PA) a vital representative for Palestinians in peace talks and international matters, said Saudi scholar Alghannam, stressing its key role in achieving a two-state solution.

Alghannam noted that Israel’s actions, including military aggression and expanding illegal West Bank settlements, undermine the PA’s ability to govern and reduce the land available for a future Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi Arabia highlights core Palestinian rights, such as self-determination, refugee return, and statehood, accusing Israel of systematically blocking these rights.

Saudi Arabia’s position is rallying support from Arab, Islamic, and international communities against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, said Dr. Ali Dabkel Al-Anazi, a media professor at King Saud University.

“The Kingdom has condemned the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as attacks on Iran,” he noted.

Saudi Arabia is determined to lead efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Lebanese and push for a two-state solution, said Al-Anazi

He said the kingdom’s description of Israel’s actions as “crimes” reflects a strong stance in supporting Palestinian rights and reviving peace talks for a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Anazi noted that Saudi Arabia’s summit aimed to unify Arab and Islamic positions and pressure the incoming US administration of Donald Trump to act.

“Saudi Arabia opposes temporary truces or partial solutions,” he said, emphasizing its goals: a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, ending forced displacement, halting attacks on Lebanon, and achieving a fair resolution with a Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi efforts have led to 149 countries recognizing Palestine and the creation of a global alliance, which held its first meeting in Riyadh with 90 nations and UN organizations.

Since Israel’s military operation last year, Saudi Arabia has focused on protecting the Palestinian cause, both in land and people, said Dr. Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a political media professor at King Saud University.

He noted that the Kingdom has increased diplomatic efforts to secure Palestine's recognition as a state and membership in the United Nations.

Al-Mutairi added that Saudi Arabia’s push for an international coalition to recognize Palestine, regardless of Israel’s position, has been a political victory, making it harder to ignore the Palestinian issue.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s stance is based on the belief that Palestine is an Arab state and its existence is an Arab responsibility.

On the humanitarian front, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia has been committed to providing aid to Gaza and Lebanon, ensuring it remains separate from political or military considerations.

He pointed to Saudi support for UNRWA as a key part of its effort to protect the safety and health of people in both Palestine and Lebanon.

“The situation is difficult, but delivering aid is essential,” he said. “There is no alternative to this support.”