Beirut rushes to contain diplomatic crisis with Riyadh over Kordahi’s comments

DUBAI - Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi on Wednesday denied having a hostile stance towards Saudi Arabia and said that comments he made in an August interview about the Yemen war were made in a personal capacity before he joined Prime Minister Najib Mikati's cabinet.

"To those calling for my resignation I say that I am part of a cohesive cabinet and I cannot take such a decision alone," Kordahi added in televised remarks.

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council said in a statement on Wednesday he rejected Kordahi’s comments adding they reflected little understanding and a superficial reading of the events in Yemen.

A video on social media of Kordahi referring to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels as defending themselves went viral.

“Them! Are they assaulting anyone?” asked Kordahi during an interview with Barlamanasha3b TV in August

“We cannot compare between the efforts of Hezbollah in liberation and liberating Lebanese lands and the efforts of Houthis who are defending themselves against foreign aggression,” said Kordahi.

“Aggression, for sure there is aggression. Not because it is Saudi or Emirati but yes there has been aggression for the past five or six years or for how long!” he told the host of the TV show.

Lebanese officials rushed to defuse the diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Riyadh.

Mikati said late on Tuesday that Kordahi’s comments did not reflect the cabinet’s position.

"Lebanon is keen on having the best relations with Saudi Arabia and condemns any interference in its internal affairs", Mikati said.

Interior Minister Bassem Mawlawi emphasised the strong relations between the two countries followed by a statement by the foreign minister, who also supported Saudi ties.