Saudi Arabia has ordered Lebanon’s Ambassador to leave within 48 hours over comments by a Lebanese Minister. The kingdom has also imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Lebanon.
The move comes days after remarks by Lebanon’s Information Minister about the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen sparked outrage in the kingdom. In an interview aired earlier this week, but recorded in August, Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi appeared to call Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aggressors in the war in Yemen.
Bahrain and Kuwait have also followed suit to order the expulsion of Lebanese Ambassadors over the row. Lebanon’s Prime Minister has said, he regretted the Saudis’ decision and hoped they would reconsider.
The Arab League said today, it was concerned about the deteriorating relations and urged Gulf countries to reflect on the measures proposed to be taken in order to avoid further negative effects on the collapsing Lebanese economy.
For seven years, a Saudi-led military coalition of Arab states has been fighting the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen.