Lebanon PM Renews Call for Minister in Gulf Arab Row to 'Prioritize National Interest'

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AFP)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (AFP)
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Lebanon PM Renews Call for Minister in Gulf Arab Row to 'Prioritize National Interest'

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

Lebanon’s prime minister on Thursday again urged the information minister to “prioritize” Lebanon’s “national interest” over an unprecedented diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia, but stopped short of asking him to submit his resignation.

The rift has threatened to destabilize the new government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, sworn in less than two months ago, and escalate Lebanon's economic tailspin.

“I hereby renew my calls on the information minister (George Kordahi) to judge his conscience and take the right position,” Reuters quoted Mikati as saying.

Mikati said the information minister’s resignation would help resolve a crisis with the kingdom and its Gulf Arab allies, and preserve the “depths and good relations with the Arab and Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia.”



Saudi Defense Minister, State Secretary to Sweden’s PM Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister, State Secretary to Sweden’s PM Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Thursday in Riyadh with State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden Johan Stuart.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance and develop cooperation between both countries and addressed issues of mutual interest.