Saudi Foreign Minister believes maintaining relations with Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon is futile

Riyadh/Dubai/Beirut: – Diplomatic relations between Lebanon and the Gulf states are strained. ‘The dominance of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah has made relations with Lebanon futile.’ said Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, Saudi Arabian foreign minister. Following Saudi and Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait have also expelled Lebanese ambassadors and ordered their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. Meanwhile, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon has accused Saudi Arabia of seeking revenge on Lebanon for its defeat at the hands of Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Lebanon, facing a severe economic crisis since the last year, is seeking financial assistance from the international community. European as well as Gulf countries were providing financial assistance to Lebanon. But Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi’s statement on the civil war in Yemen has worsened the economic and political crisis facing Lebanon. Kordahi had indirectly criticised Saudi and Arab allies, saying the Houthi rebels in Yemen were defending themselves against foreign aggression.

After that, Lebanon was criticised by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have recalled their ambassadors from Lebanon. Saudi Arabia has also blocked imports from Lebanon. Less than a few hours later, the Arab allies UAE and Kuwait also expelled Lebanese ambassadors. UAE Foreign Ministry accused that the Lebanese minister’s statement is controversial, exceeding the limits of diplomatic ties.

Speaking to a local news channel, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal targeted the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon. ‘The crisis in Lebanon is not due to the deterioration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah has created a crisis in Lebanon, and the same concern is plaguing Saudi Arabia. Therefore, any kind of relationship with the government in Lebanon, which is dominated by Hezbollah, is meaningless for Saudi Arabia or the other Gulf countries, said Prince Faisal.

At the same time, Lebanese leaders need to be vigilant if Lebanon is to achieve its former glory by maintaining ties with Arab countries, retorted Prince Faisal. Speaking about the conflict in Yemen, the Saudi foreign minister also criticised the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels. The Saudis are ready to hold political talks with all groups in Yemen and have taken steps to do so. But Foreign Minister Prince Faisal accused that the Houthi rebels cannot think about anything but violence.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that Lebanon expects better cooperation with Saudi Arabia. However, President Michel has refused to accept the resignation of his information minister, Kordahi, who made controversial statements against Saudi Arabia. Opposition leaders and people in Lebanon are also demanding Kordahi’s resignation. Accusations are being made in Lebanon Hezbollah supporter Kordahi is responsible for straining relations with Arab countries. But Kordahi flatly refused to retract his statements or resign.

Amid these developments, Hezbollah MP Mohamed Raad has made fresh accusations against Saudi Arabia over the conflict in Yemen. Raad said that Saudi Disillusioned with the defeat at the hands of the Houthi rebels in Yemen’s civil war, is seeking revenge on Lebanon and blamed Saudi Arabia for being responsible for the crisis in Lebanon. It is claimed that this has escalated the tensions further between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.