Source: L'Orient Today
Wednesday 8 December 2021 11:53:11
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and Oman urged Lebanon to prevent “terrorist acts which destabilize the region.”
Here’s what we know:
• The statement, which was released as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was visiting Oman, also emphasized “the importance of conducting comprehensive reforms to ensure that Lebanon overcomes its crises and that Lebanon does not become a launching pad for any terrorist or criminal acts that destabilize the security and stability of the region.”
• Following a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron had stated that his nation and Saudi Arabia are determined to work together to help Lebanon emerge from its multitude of crises. Macron’s visit to Jeddah came a day after Lebanese Information Minister George Kurdahi resigned from the government over a month after comments he made about the Saudi role in the war in Yemen triggered a diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and several Gulf Arab states.
• Following the airing of Kurdahi’s remarks, Saudi Arabia announced the recall of its ambassador from Beirut, as well as the prohibition of all imports from Lebanon. Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates all also withdrew their envoys at the time.
• In November, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said that the kingdom does not want to engage with the Lebanese government at this point, and urged the Lebanese political class to halt the “domination” of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.