A group of former Lebanese Prime Ministers called on Information Minister George Qardahi to resign on Saturday, following his statements that sparked a crisis with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The former Prime Ministers, Fouad Siniora, Saad Hariri, and Tammam Salam, stated in a press release that "Qardahi's views are a blow to the brotherly relations and common Arab interests that bind Lebanon to the Arab countries, particularly with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries."
On Friday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Qardahi to "consider the national interest and make the appropriate decision to restore Lebanon's Arab relations." Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib stated that Lebanese officials "believe that what is happening is a problem, not a crisis with our brothers in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and it can be overcome and resolved through honest brotherly dialogue for the benefit of our friendly countries."
The statement continued: "Rest assured that Lebanon is very keen to keep lines of communication and connection open with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf brothers and is determined to restore the best and most cordial relations based on everything that unites and brings us closer."
On Saturday, Kuwait summoned its ambassador from Lebanon for consultations and requested that the Lebanese chargé d'affaires leave the country within 48 hours. Earlier, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain asked the Lebanese ambassador in their countries to depart within 48 hours. Saudi Arabia also recalled its ambassador to Lebanon and announced a suspension of all Lebanese imports. The Saudi Kingdom emphasized that "Hezbollah's control over the decision of the Lebanese state has turned Lebanon into a hub and starting point for implementing projects that do not bode well for this country."
