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Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

After Kordahi's Resignation ... Macron Hopes for Progress in Lebanese-Saudi Talks   


Fri 03 Dec 2021 | 05:58 PM
Omnia Ahmed

French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed, on Friday, he hoped his talks in Saudi Arabia would help alleviate tension between Gulf states and Lebanon.

"We will see at the end of this trip - and I remain cautious - but my wish is both economically and politically, to be able to re-engage all the Gulf countries in the relationship with Lebanon, to help them get out of this," Macron said in Dubai ahead of traveling to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"I hope the coming hours will allow us to make progress," Macron noted, adding that hoped this would allow Prime Minister Najib Mikati to convene his government and press ahead with stalled economic reform efforts.

The statements come following Lebanese Minister of Information George Kordahi's resignation on Friday to put an end to a diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia over comments he had made criticizing the Kingdom's role in the war in Yemen, which had prompted Riyadh to ban Lebanese imports.

In his speech during the conference, Kordahi said: “Today we are facing new developments, as I understood that the French want my resignation before Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia in order to help open a dialogue with Saudi officials on Lebanon.”

He added: “I decided to give up my ministerial position because Lebanon is more important than me and I do not accept to be used as a reason to harm the Lebanese in the Gulf countries, because the interests of my country and my loved ones are above my personal interests.”