Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his rejection on Tuesday of statements made by current Minister of Information George Qardahi regarding Yemen, prior to his assuming office. Mikati stated in a release published by the National News Agency: "Regarding the words of Minister of Information George Qardahi, which are being circulated, and which fall within an interview conducted with him weeks before he took on his ministerial position, they are rejected and do not reflect the government's stance at all, especially concerning the Yemeni issue and Lebanon's relations with its Arab brethren, specifically the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries."
The Lebanese Prime Minister added in his statement: "The Prime Minister and the government are keen to establish the best relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and condemn any interference in its internal affairs from any party or entity, which necessitates clarification." The statement affirmed that "the Prime Minister declares Lebanon's commitment to the bonds of brotherhood with the brotherly Arab countries, which are clearly outlined in the government's ministerial statement that the Prime Minister and the government as a whole represent and express its policies and principles."
Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak directed the Yemeni ambassador in Beirut to deliver a letter of condemnation to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry concerning Qardahi's remarks. Bin Mubarak stated that these remarks represent a deviation from Lebanon's clear position towards Yemen, condemning the Houthi coup and supporting all relevant Arab and international resolutions. For his part, Qardahi stated that he did not intend in any way to offend Saudi Arabia and the UAE, asserting that he "holds both their leaderships and peoples in great love and loyalty," according to a statement published by the National News Agency.
