Lebanon's FM Quits after Making Offensive Remarks about Gulf States

Lebanon's foreign minister asked the president to be relieved of his duties. (Dalati & Nohra)

Lebanon's foreign minister said he had quit his post on Wednesday after his offensive comments in a television interview drew outrage in the Gulf region. Charbel Wehbe, who is a minister in the caretaker government, suggested on Monday that Gulf states had supported the rise of ISIS, among other disparaging comments. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain summoned Lebanon's ambassadors and issued formal complaints. The Gulf Cooperation Council demanded a formal apology. After meeting President Michel Aoun, Wehbe said he had submitted a request to step down “in light of the recent developments and the circumstances that accompanied the interview I gave to a television station”. Wehbe also met caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, saying afterwards that he hoped his decision to step down would mean relations with Arab nations remained friendly. The prime minister and president both accepted his request. Defense Minister Zeina Akar was appointed in Wehbe's place, and she will now act in a caretaker capacity in both roles. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri stressed on Tuesday that Arab support to Lebanon was vital. “As if the crises that the country is drowning in and the boycott it is suffering from are not enough,” he said. Crushed by debt, Lebanon's economy has imploded, sending its currency into tailspin. A massive blast at Beirut port in August added to its woes, prompting the last government to resign. It is now acting in a caretaker role. Months later, politicians in the fractious, sectarian system are still squabbling over new appointments.