Lebanon: Aoun Says Keen on Best Ties With 'Brotherly Arab Countries'

President Michel Aoun meets with the ambassadors of Lebanon in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun said that efforts were underway to solve the crisis with the Gulf states out of keenness on “establishing the best relations with the brotherly Arab countries.”

Aoun's remarks came on Monday during his meeting with Lebanon’s Ambassadors to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Fawzi Kabbara and Milad Nammour and the chargé d’affaires of the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait, Hadi Hashem.

The Lebanese presidency stated that efforts exerted by Aoun are “underway to address the situation that has arisen out of Lebanon’s keenness to establish the best relations with the brotherly Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.”

In parallel, the Lebanese-Saudi Business Council expressed surprise at the “lack of initiatives by Lebanese officials to find solutions” to the crisis. The Council warned that Lebanon and the Lebanese communities residing in the Gulf will not be able to bear the “economic, financial and social repercussions” of such an approach.

In a special meeting held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, the Council criticized “the failure of Lebanon's information minister to assume responsibility and resign, in order to pave the way for constructive and responsible dialogue with the Kingdom.”

In a statement recited by the Council head, Raouf Abu Zaki, it “regretted the persisting campaigns and negative stances.” It also criticized attempts to portray the concerned minister’s resignation as a derogation from sovereignty and national dignity, adding that “an apology and the cessation of hostile campaigns against it, as well as the restoration of the state’s sovereignty,” are all what the Gulf states demand.

The Council stressed that preserving national dignity is achieved “by ending corruption” and alleviating the sufferings of the citizens at the doors of hospitals, pharmacies, banks and gas stations, and addressing the economic collapse.”

It also reminded of “the contribution of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states to the reconstruction of Lebanon after the war, and to the role it played in saving it from successive crises.”