NNA - Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdullah Bou Habib, conveyed the assertion of President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, that Lebanon’s position is one regarding the necessity of establishing the best relations with Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states and Arab countries.

Minister Bou Habib also stressed that relations shouldn’t be affected by any individual position, and that the Lebanese state’s viewpoint is specific in what is issued by its pillars or in the ministerial policy statement, on the basis of which the government gained confidence.

The Foreign Minister also emphasized that Lebanon considers that any problem, regardless of its size, between two brotherly countries, such as Lebanon and KSA, must be resolved through dialogue and coordination in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the League of Arab States, “So how if this problem doesn’t originate from a person or entity who assumes a position of responsibility?”.

Bou Habib also asserted that Lebanon looks forward to its Arab brothers to be by its side in these difficult circumstances, “And any separation from it will have negative repercussions which harm solidarity and cooperation between brothers”.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister expressed confidence that what happened should stop at the end of common Arab interest, stressing that Lebanon was never but a supporter of all brotherly Arab countries, and it was never, and will never be, a focal point to harm any country.

Stances of the Foreign Minister came while meeting with the President, this afternoon at Baabda Palace.

The latest ongoing contacts to address the developments of the recent problem which has arisen from the latest KSA, and Gulf states’, decision to with draw Ambassadors from Lebanon and ask Lebanese Ambassadors to leave.

Statement:

After the meeting, the Foreign Minister made the following statement:

“I was honored to meet His Excellency the President. I briefed the President on the ongoing contacts to address the developments which arose from the decision of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a number of Gulf states, to withdraw their Ambassadors from Lebanon and ask Lebanese Ambassadors to leave their lands.

I also briefed President Aoun on the reports received by the Foreign Ministry on this issue, and the ways to tackle the repercussions which resulted.

His Excellency the President reiterated that Lebanon’s position is one regarding the necessity of establishing the best relations between Lebanon and KSA, and the rest of Gulf states and Arab countries. The President also stressed that these relations shouldn’t be affected by any individual stances issued by a party or parties which do not express the viewpoint of the Lebanese state, which is stated in the policy statement of the cabinet in which it gained trust. Noting that Lebanon considers that any problem, regardless of its size, between two brotherly countries, such as Lebanon and KSA, must be resolved through dialogue and coordination in a spirit of sincere brotherhood in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the League of Arab States. The problem is not from a person or a party in charge, as is the case with what Information Minister George Kordahi said before he was appointed as minister in the government, as he had expressed his personal opinion and not the opinion of the Lebanese state at all.

I would also like to stress in this regard that Lebanon, which has always worked to achieve solidarity among the Arab countries, and paid dearly for this option during the past years, is looking forward today to its brothers in the Arab countries in general and the Gulf States in particular, to be by its side in these difficult circumstances that it is going through, and the economic hardship in which its people live, and any distance from this will have negative repercussions that harm solidarity and cooperation between brothers.

The President and I are confident that what happened during the past few days should stop at giving priority to the common Arab interest, and not to pour oil on the fire, especially since Lebanon was once nothing but a supporter of all the brotherly Arab countries, and it was never and will not be a transitory country to offend. Lebanon also stresses the necessity of understanding the requirements of the democratic system chosen by the Lebanese, and among its foundations is freedom of opinion and thought without this freedom harming Lebanon’s relations with brotherly and friendly countries under any circumstances”. -- Presidency Press Office 

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