Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed Lebanon’s adherence to Lebanon’s official position regarding its concern for its Arab and international relations, especially with the Gulf states. His statements came after Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah criticized Saudi policies in the region.
In a statement to the Lebanese presidency today, Aoun expressed his keenness on relations with the Gulf states, “primarily Saudi Arabia.”
He added, “This concern must be reciprocal, because it is in the interests of Lebanon and the Gulf states alike.”
President Aoun: We are keen on Lebanon’s Arab and international relations, especially with the Gulf states, foremost of which is Saudi Arabia.
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) January 4, 2022
Earlier, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the words of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah regarding Saudi Arabia “do not represent the position of the Lebanese government and the broader segment of the Lebanese people.”
Mikati added in a statement issued by his office – yesterday, Monday – that “it is not in Lebanon’s interest to offend any Arab country, especially the Gulf states.”
He continued, “While we call for Hezbollah to be part of the diverse Lebanese situation and of Lebanese affiliation, its leadership opposes this trend with positions that harm the Lebanese first, and secondly, Lebanon’s relations with its brothers.”
Nasrallah had said – in a televised speech on Monday – that Saudi Arabia’s problem in Lebanon is “with those who defeated its project in the region and prevented the transformation of Lebanon into a Saudi emirate.”
He accused Saudi Arabia of being a “partner in the global war on the region” and that it stood behind the Islamic State.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called earlier for the establishment of a dialogue in order to strengthen Lebanon’s relations with Arab countries – especially the Gulf states – after the resignation of the Lebanese Minister of Information, George Kordahi on December 3, due to a diplomatic crisis that erupted between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. , because of his statements before taking office regarding the Yemen war.