The wave of angry reactions continue against Lebanon’s Minister of Information George Kordahi over statements in which he criticized Arab states and the Arab military coalition for supporting legitimacy in Yemen.
Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdellatif Derian said in a statement on Thursday that verbal attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf Cooperation Council states “are totally rejected, no matter how high-ranking the person behind those attacks is.”
“Lebanon and Dar al-Fatwa are keen on their relations with the Arab Gulf states. We condemn, denounce, and deplore any offense to these countries with whom we want the best possible relations,” he added.
Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi reiterated his keenness on “the best relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.”
For his part, MP Nehmeh Tohme called for the formation of a senior delegation to Saudi Arabia, expressing his regret for the recent “unfair campaigns against the Kingdom.”
He also urged the government to take the appropriate measures to “preserve the glorious history and the relationship between the two countries.”
“Saudi Arabia stood by Lebanon in the darkest and most difficult circumstances, fortified our economy, and embraced the largest Lebanese community,” Tohme underlined.
Former President Michel Sleiman emphasized “the necessity of restoring Lebanon’s official relations with friendly Arab countries, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” which he said was confronting terrorism.
During his meeting with Major General Ashraf Rifi on Thursday, Sleiman said that the government’s duty was to ensure the higher interests of Lebanon. It begins with improving Lebanon’s foreign relations and distancing the country from regional conflicts.
