Four Gulf states recall diplomats from Beirut
Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait have joined Saudi Arabia in taking diplomatic action in response to remarks from a Lebanese minister about the situation in Yemen.
Several Gulf states took action against Lebanon over the weekend after comments surfaced from a Lebanese minister criticizing the Saudi intervention in Yemen.
Bahrain gave the Lebanese ambassador in the country 48 hours to leave on Saturday night. The United Arab Emirates withdrew its diplomats from Lebanon the same day, and on Sunday, called on its citizens to return home. Kuwait also told the Lebanese ambassador Saturday to leave the country within 48 hours, according to Gulf media outlets.
Saudi Arabia was the first Gulf state to order the Lebanese ambassador to leave on Saturday. The kingdom also banned all imports from Lebanon at the time. The crisis began last week when comments by Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi critical of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen aired on television. The remarks had been made several weeks prior, before Kordahi joined the Cabinet. Kordahi said he meant no offense, but has refused to step down.
Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that fights on the side of the government in Yemen’s civil war. The government is in conflict with the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. Saudi Arabia’s role in the war is controversial, and its military has been accused of committing war crimes.
