Lebanon prime minister likely to visit Saudi Arabia amid diplomatic crisis

By Naim Berjawi

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) – Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is likely to visit Saudi Arabia soon in a bid to resolve Lebanon’s weeks-long diplomatic crisis with the oil-rich kingdom, according to a Lebanese minister.

“After Mikati's visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt (Thursday), it is likely that he will make a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia soon," Minister of Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan said in a TV interview.

Hassan’s remarks came a week after a phone call between Mikati, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron during the latter’s visit to Riyadh.

The call came a day after the resignation of Lebanese Minister of Information, George Kordahi, against the background of statements he made on the Yemeni conflict before he took his post in the new Lebanese government.

When asked in a televised interview whether he "thinks that the Houthis, like Hezbollah, are defending their land as an armed organization," Kordahi responded: "Of course they are defending themselves. ... My personal opinion is that this war in Yemen needs to end. Houses, buildings, villages, and cities are being attacked by fighter jets."

Angered by Kordahi's critical comments, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Lebanon.

Hassan underlined "the importance of restoring relations with Arab countries," while also hailing Kordahi as a “patriot” for resigning “at a time when he saw fit.”

When announcing his resignation at a news conference, Kordahi said he gave up his ministerial position because he holds the interest of Lebanon above his personal interest.

Lebanon is keen to end the diplomatic crisis with the Gulf states as the country is suffering a crippling economic crisis, amid fuel and medical supply shortages.

* Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar