Lebanon Foreign Minister resigns after his remarks on Saudi and other Gulf countries stir controversy

Beirut/Riyadh: Lebanon Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe stated in an interview that some countries from the Middle East are responsible for the rising influence of terror outfit ISIS in the Gulf. This remark by Wehbe has received severe backlash from leading countries in the Middle East; this has forced the minister to resign. Moreover, he has also been criticised within the Lebanese political circle. The Lebanese Forces Party slammed Wehbe, saying ‘he speaks as if he is Hezbollah’s Foreign Minister and not Lebanon’.

Over the last few years, Lebanon is on the verge of a political and economic crisis. Besides, Lebanon economy is experiencing an economic meltdown and is believed to be surviving on the financial aid received from the Middle Eastern countries, Europe and international financial institutions. The value of the currency has dropped immensely. Moreover, Lebanon is said not to have enough funds to repay foreign debt and even make essential imports. The country has not had a stable government, and the leadership has constantly been changing.

In such a situation, making sensational statements aimed at the leading Middle Eastern countries has landed the Lebanese government in deep trouble. On Monday, Minister Wehbe stated in a program on Alhurra TV that some allied nations in the Middle East are responsible for the rising influence of ISIS in the region. Furthermore, Wehbe said, ‘The countries, which share a relationship of love and camaraderie, provided the Islamic State an opportunity to enter Nineveh, Anbar and Palmira.’ In the same TV program, a Saudi analyst accused the Lebanese President of handing over Lebanon to Hezbollah.

The Lebanese foreign minister’s remarks have drawn severe backlash from the Arab nations. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait have summoned the Lebanese envoy, demanding clarification. The Saudi Foreign Ministry has slammed the statement by the Lebanese Foreign Minister as insulting and inconsistent with the simplest diplomatic norms. Besides, the Gulf Cooperation Council has cited Wehbe’s statements as unacceptable and demanded an apology.

Lebanese President Michael Aoun has said that Foreign Minister Wehbe’s remarks are his personal opinion and have nothing to do with Lebanon’s policy. Wehbe’s resignation, submitted on Wednesday, was accepted, and Lebanese Defence Minister Zeina Akar has been appointed in his place.