Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a halt to all Lebanese imports into the kingdom, recalling its ambassador to Lebanon for consultations, and requesting the departure of the Lebanese ambassador within 48 hours. This comes in the wake of statements made by Lebanese Minister of Information George Kordahi.
In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), it was noted that "these statements represent a new episode of the condemned and rejected positions expressed by Lebanese officials towards the kingdom and its policies, as well as containing falsehoods and distortions of the truth."
The statement continued: "This also comes in addition to Lebanon not taking the measures requested by the kingdom to stop the export of the drug plague from Lebanon through Lebanese exports to the kingdom, especially given Hezbollah's control over all entry points, as well as the lack of sanctions against those involved in these crimes targeting the citizens of Saudi Arabia, and the failure to cooperate in handing over the wanted individuals to the kingdom in violation of the Riyadh Judicial Cooperation Agreement."
The statement clarified that "the government of the kingdom regrets the deterioration of relations with the Lebanese Republic due to the Lebanese authorities' disregard for the facts and their ongoing failure to take corrective measures that ensure the maintenance of relations that the kingdom has always cherished, stemming from the affection it holds for the dear Lebanese people and the deep ties between them."
It also pointed out that "Hezbollah's control over the Lebanese state's decisions has turned Lebanon into a playground for executing projects of countries that do not wish well for Lebanon and its brotherly people, which have historical ties with the kingdom since the independence of the Lebanese Republic, as evidenced by Hezbollah's support and training of the Houthi militia."
Consequently, the Saudi government announced the decision to recall its ambassador to Lebanon for consultations and for the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom to leave within the next 48 hours.
The statement concluded: "Due to the importance of taking all necessary measures to protect the kingdom and its people, a decision has been made to stop all Lebanese imports to the kingdom, and other measures will be taken to achieve these goals. In light of the increasing instability in Lebanon, the kingdom emphasizes what has previously been issued regarding the prohibition of travel for citizens to Lebanon."
It ended by affirming the kingdom's commitment to the Lebanese citizens residing in the kingdom, who are considered part of the fabric that unites the Saudi people with their Arab brothers residing in the kingdom, and it does not view statements from Lebanese authorities as representative of the positions of the Lebanese community residing in the kingdom, which is valued by the Saudi people.
