Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf strongly condemned on Wednesday statements by Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi that “reflect little understanding and a superficial reading of the events in Yemen.”
Kordahi said late on Tuesday that comments he made around the Yemen war, which started circulating on social media on Tuesday, were made in an August interview before he joined the new government.
Hajraf slammed Kordahi for criticizing each of Saudi Arabia, which is leading the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, after he accused them of attacking Yemen, when in fact the coalition is helping end the coup staged by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in 2014.
Hajraf urged Kordahi to “review historic facts and review the developments of events to realize the extent of the major support the coalition is providing Yemen and its people in order to resolve the crisis according to the three references: The Gulf initiative, national dialogue outcomes and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.”
Hajraf slammed Kordahi for defending the Houthi militias while ignoring their thwarting of all international efforts to resolve the crisis, their armed drone and ballistic missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, their attacks against the Yemeni people and their obstruction of aid deliveries.
Hajraf called on Kordahi to refrain from distorting facts, demanding an apology for his statements.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati later issued a statement to clarify that the minister’s remarks do not reflect the position of the Lebanese government.
