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Relations between Lebanon and the Gulf countries are in a state of tension.Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have Has ordered the expulsion of the Lebanese ambassador from their countryThe statement made by Lebanese Minister of Information George Kordasi about the armed conflict in Yemen earlier this week has triggered a deterioration in relations in recent days.
The Lebanese minister issued a series of comments on the war in Yemen, and the Gulf countries interpreted these comments as defenses against Shiite insurgents (the Houthis). This rebel group that has tried to overthrow the country’s current president, Abdullab Mansur Hadi, Got the support of Iran, a Muslim country of the Shia branch.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia led a fighting coalition against the Houthis in Yemen. In 2015, U.S., France, and U.K.Join the Saudis in an air raid on Yemeni territory in an attempt to eliminate the Houthis. This is a failed operation. The conflict in the Gulf countries has evolved into a special war between the two major eastern powers in the two branches of Islam: Iran (Shia) and Saudi Arabia (Sunni).
Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
Reuters
In view of the controversy caused by his remarks, Kodashi clarified on his Twitter account that he just wanted to point out the need to end The “ridiculous” conflict in YemenHowever, for the Gulf countries, “damage” has already been done. They demand more to resolve the crisis.
Lebanese diplomatic representatives to the Gulf countries have been expelled from this Friday.first of all Saudi Arabia, Accusing Lebanese Shi’ite Hezbollah of being behind this diplomatic crisis. The oil giant ordered the expulsion of the Lebanese ambassador to Riyadh within 48 hours. In addition, he also convened his representatives in Lebanon for consultations.
The two men read the headlines of Lebanese newspapers announcing the measures of the Gulf states.
Reuters
Next is Barrain, Which also gave the Lebanese ambassador to his country 48 hours Leave. The small Persian Gulf country called the Lebanese information minister’s remarks “distasteful and unacceptable.”
Kuwait and United Arab Emirates On Saturday, they joined the neighboring country, expelled Lebanese diplomats from their country, and called on them to leave Lebanon. However, the UAE has gone a step further: they have withdrawn their diplomats. The rest, for now, are just calling their ambassador for consultations. It also prohibits its citizens from travelling to Lebanon.Whether countries like it remains to be seen Sultanate of OmanA country that usually acts as a mediator between Gulf countries when tensions arise, and Qatar, made the same decision.
Members of the Lebanese government convened a meeting to resolve the diplomatic crisis.
Reuters
The Lebanese government claims to have initiated a “contact” to find The solution to this diplomatic crisis And set up a crisis cabinet to solve this problem. The Arab League also expressed concern in a statement this Saturday, stressing that the Lebanese government has failed to “effectively” handle the situation.