The local scene in Lebanon focused today, Wednesday, on the statements made by Lebanese Minister of Information George Qardahi prior to assuming office in Prime Minister Mikati's government, regarding the Yemen crisis. These remarks overshadowed the positions of politicians and the pulse of the Lebanese street, igniting social media calls for Qardahi's resignation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati attempted to dilute the impact of Qardahi's statements by affirming that "the government's stance towards the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is fixed and unchanging, and that the Minister of Information's position represents him personally and does not represent the Lebanese government."
In this context, political figures spoke to Sky News Arabia, calling for Qardahi's resignation to preserve Lebanese relations with Gulf and Arab nations and to reject dragging Lebanon into the Iranian camp.
**Fattah: Qardahi Made a Serious Mistake**
Former minister Ahmed Fattah told Sky News Arabia, "The problem primarily was with appointing Qardahi as minister, and he should have resigned if he was really concerned about the relations between Lebanon and Arab countries, especially with the Kingdom." He added, "Qardahi is currently in a position that is hostile to Arab-Lebanese relations. As a Lebanese citizen, I see that he has made a serious mistake regarding Saudi, Arab, and specifically Lebanese relations, as there are hundreds of thousands of Lebanese living and working in Saudi Arabia, and this negatively affects them, their families, and their livelihoods."
**Marwan Hamadeh: Resignation is the Minimum Required**
MP and former minister Marwan Hamadeh told our site, "Minister Qardahi's statements represent a blatant insult to Lebanese-Saudi and Lebanese-Emirati relations, and they are met with outrage from Lebanese public opinion before the Lebanese officials." He clarified, "We must go beyond resignation, as the government as a whole provides cover for those who drive a wedge between Lebanese and Gulf relations under Iranian orders, causing harm to thousands of Lebanese residing in the Gulf. Resignation is the minimum required to preserve our dignity as Lebanon and what remains of the credibility of a government surrounded by crises since its formation."
**May Chidiac: A Shameful Position**
Former minister May Chidiac described Qardahi's position today as "shameful" in her conversation with Sky News Arabia, stating that he "has not acknowledged the mistake and does not intend to apologize or take orders from ambassadors." Chidiac added, "Such individuals take Lebanon away from its Arab world and ruin relations with it, and Qardahi's positions regarding Iran and the Syrian regime are well known, which led him to become a minister." She continued, "When Hezbollah continues to destroy Lebanon and push it away from its Arab depth through constant void and disruption, it forces us to elect the person they want for the presidency, and we refuse to be captives of Hezbollah's positions." Chidiac recalled the incident of standing against the "Invasion of Ain El Remmaneh," saying, "We stood to tell the state enough is enough, and we are paying the price for the mistakes of those who do not reflect the true image of Lebanon."
**Rachid Derbass: I Am Surprised by These Statements**
For his part, former minister and lawyer syndic Rachid Derbass mentioned to Sky News Arabia, "We are surprised by these statements, as Minister Qardahi was a media figure who spent most of his success in the Gulf and was not forced into that interview." He added, "He is not a political commentator, especially since he expected to be a minister in this government... In any case, if he resigns, a minister will be appointed in his place, and this does not hinder the work of the government."
