Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expel Lebanese ambassadors
3 years, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expel Lebanese ambassadors

LA Times  

Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi speaks to journalists after a Cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 13. Saudi Arabia has ordered the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom to leave the country within 48 hours and stopped all imports from Lebanon, a response Friday to comments by a Lebanese minister who described the war in Yemen as Saudi “aggression.” Hours later, the Kingdom of Bahrain ordered the Lebanese ambassador to leave the country within two days for the same reason, Bahrain’s foreign ministry said. The decision came days after a video circulated on social media in which Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi described the war in Yemen as aggression by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office said he discussed the situation with President Michel Aoun before calling Kordahi and asking him to take “the appropriate decision for the sake of national interests.” Mikati expressed regret for the Saudi move and urged the kingdom to review its decision. Saudi Arabia has been a major supporter of Lebanon, but the kingdom has also been locked in a regional struggle with Iran, the main ally of the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

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History of this topic

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus in 12 years, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League over a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel’s appointment as the kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012 was announced by the state-run …

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

LA Times  

Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria in 12 years since severing ties with Damascus, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League more than a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel’s appointment as the kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012 was announced by the state-run Saudi …

Saudi and Iran exchange ambassadors after rapprochement
1 year, 4 months ago

Saudi and Iran exchange ambassadors after rapprochement

Al Jazeera  

Ambassadors of both countries arrived in Riyadh and Tehran after an agreement led to the restoration of full diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Iran has arrived in the country, and his counterpart has landed in Saudi, cementing a restoration of ties between the Gulf rivals after a seven-year rupture. Saudi Arabia’s leadership recognises the “importance of strengthening ties, increasing …

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia to depart for Riyadh
1 year, 4 months ago

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia to depart for Riyadh

Al Jazeera  

The Iranian embassy reopened in June, and the ambassador is expected to be fully situated there within days. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its ambassador to Saudi Arabia will soon depart for Riyadh to lead Tehran’s diplomatic mission that was reopened in early June after seven years. Iran’s new envoy to the kingdom, Alireza Enayati, met …

The Saudi Arabia-UAE divide becomes public
1 year, 4 months ago

The Saudi Arabia-UAE divide becomes public

The Hindu  

In mid-July, The Wall Street Journal reported that earlier in December, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, had told a group of Saudi journalists that the United Arab Emirates has “stabbed us in the back” and had threatened, “They will see what I can do.” He had added that his retaliation would be “worse than what I did with …

Saudi freed in Lebanon after kidnapping
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi freed in Lebanon after kidnapping

Al Jazeera  

Lebanese interior ministry says that nine people had been arrested in connection with Sunday’s kidnapping. A Saudi national who had been kidnapped in Beirut on Sunday has been freed in a special operation by the Lebanese army near the Syrian border. “An army intelligence patrol managed to free kidnapped Saudi national Mashari al-Mutairi during a special operation on the Syrian …

Saudi Arabia and Iran end their explosive proxy-war
1 year, 9 months ago

Saudi Arabia and Iran end their explosive proxy-war

The Telegraph  

Saudi Arabia and Iran’s surprise agreement to put aside their explosive rivalry has raised hopes of resolving conflicts from Yemen and Syria, to Iraq and Lebanon. The Syrian foreign minister became the first senior Damascus official to visit Saudi Arabia since the start of the civil war, as Arab states discussed normalising relations with the government of President Bashar al-Assad. …

Iran appoints envoy to UAE, meeting with Saudi Arabia expected
1 year, 9 months ago

Iran appoints envoy to UAE, meeting with Saudi Arabia expected

Al Jazeera  

Iran’s appointment of an ambassador after a gap of seven years comes amid its rapprochement with Saudi Arabia. Tehran, Iran – Iran has appointed a new ambassador to the United Arab Emirates shortly ahead of an expected meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia in China. The UAE, which has a long history of economic ties with …

Saudi Arabia deal with Iran worries Israel, shakes up Middle East | Know Why
1 year, 10 months ago

Saudi Arabia deal with Iran worries Israel, shakes up Middle East | Know Why

India TV News  

Saudi-Arabia-Iran Rapprochement: Iran recently informed that it has reached a deal with Saudi Arabia to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies in the two countries. A normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia, the most powerful and wealthy Arab state, would fulfill Netanyahu's prized goal, reshaping the region and boosting Israel's standing in historic ways. Saudi Arabia's decision to engage …

Countries that could be impacted by renewed Iran-Saudi ties
1 year, 10 months ago

Countries that could be impacted by renewed Iran-Saudi ties

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to resume diplomatic ties has wide-reaching effects across the Middle East and beyond, and reduces the chance of armed conflict between regional rivals. Here’s a look at some of the countries that could be affected by the deal, struck this week in China: — YEMEN: Both Saudi Arabia …

UAE top diplomat back in Syria as relations continue to thaw
2 years ago

UAE top diplomat back in Syria as relations continue to thaw

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — The United Arab Emirates’ top diplomat met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday, his second visit to Damascus as relations continue to thaw between the two countries. According to a statement from Assad’s office, he and UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed boosting economic ties between their nations. The UAE’s state-run WAM news …

After spat, Saudi Arabia sending ambassador back to Lebanon
2 years, 9 months ago

After spat, Saudi Arabia sending ambassador back to Lebanon

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia announced Thursday it would send its ambassador back to Lebanon after a diplomatic spat last year. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported that the kingdom made the decision after the “calls and appeals of the moderate national political forces in Lebanon.” The kingdom also said Lebanon had agreed to “stop all political, military …

Saudi announces return of ambassador to Lebanon
2 years, 9 months ago

Saudi announces return of ambassador to Lebanon

Al Jazeera  

Relations have been tense since last year after a former minister criticised Saudi’s role in Yemen. The ambassador is returning in response to calls by “moderate” Lebanese political forces, the foreign ministry said, and after remarks by Prime Minister Najib Mikati regarding “ending all political, military and security activities” that affect Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Prime Minister Mikati, …

Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah accuses Saudi Arabia of ‘terrorism’
3 years ago

Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah accuses Saudi Arabia of ‘terrorism’

Al Jazeera  

Beirut, Lebanon – Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has accused Saudi Arabia of exporting ISIL ideology and transporting cars rigged with explosives for suicide attacks to Iraq. Nasrallah’s comments came in response to political opponents and critics in Lebanon who criticised the Iran-backed party for damaging ties between the cash-strapped country and Saudi Arabia. “For God’s sake, have mercy on Lebanon …

Lebanese businesses pay steep price for standoff with Saudis
3 years, 1 month ago

Lebanese businesses pay steep price for standoff with Saudis

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A Lebanese DJ was days away from moving to Riyadh to play for a month in one of the newest entertainment centers in Saudi Arabia’s capital when a brief, polite Whatsapp message informed her that the contract won’t go through. These are some of the victims of Saudi Arabia’s furious backlash against Lebanon in October after a Lebanese …

Diplomats concerned Gulf spat could harm Lebanese in region
3 years, 2 months ago

Diplomats concerned Gulf spat could harm Lebanese in region

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s ambassadors who were recently asked to leave Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid an unprecedented diplomatic spat with Gulf countries expressed fear Wednesday the dispute could harm the interests of Lebanese living in the region. Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi criticized the war in Yemen that a Saudi-led coalition is waging against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, describing it …

Arab League envoy in Beirut to mediate Lebanon-Saudi rift
3 years, 2 months ago

Arab League envoy in Beirut to mediate Lebanon-Saudi rift

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A top Arab League envoy was in Beirut on Monday to explore ways to resolve an unprecedented diplomatic rift between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia that emerged following comments by Lebanon’s information minister on Yemen’s civil war. The Arab League official said his visit was “an initiative to put the crisis on the right track.” Hossam Zaki, the league’s …

Kuwait expels Lebanon envoy in row over the war in Yemen
3 years, 2 months ago

Kuwait expels Lebanon envoy in row over the war in Yemen

The Hindu  

Kuwait gave Lebanon’s Ambassador 48 hours to leave the emirate on Saturday, a day after Saudi Arabia made a similar move over a Minister’s comments about its war in Yemen. asks Lebanese envoy to leave country in 48 hours,” Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday in a brief statement carried by state news agency KUNA. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said the …

Saudi Arabia orders Lebanese ambassador to leave kingdom
3 years, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia orders Lebanese ambassador to leave kingdom

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia on Friday, October 29, 2021 ordered the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom to leave the country within 48 hours and stopped all imports from Lebanon, a response to comments by a Lebanese minister who described the war in Yemen as Saudi “aggression.” Hours later, the Kingdom of Bahrain ordered the Lebanese ambassador to leave the country within two …

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expel Lebanese ambassadors
3 years, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain expel Lebanese ambassadors

Al Jazeera  

The diplomatic feud comes days after footage emerged of Lebanon’s information minister criticising the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Beirut, Lebanon – Saudi Arabia has banned all imports from Lebanon and given the Lebanese ambassador 48 hours to leave the kingdom after footage emerged earlier this week of a minister criticising the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s war in Yemen, state news agency …

Lebanese minister’s Yemen comments further strain ties with GCC
3 years, 2 months ago

Lebanese minister’s Yemen comments further strain ties with GCC

Al Jazeera  

Lebanese gov’t has been desperate to rekindle strained relations with Gulf countries, as it reels from a crippling economic crisis. “And we should not remain prone to blackmail from anyone, not from states, nor embassies, nor individuals.” Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Michel Aoun, who both have pushed for improving ties between Beirut and Riyadh, quickly dismissed Kordahi’s …

Saudi Arabia designates Hezbollah’s financial arm as ‘terrorists’
3 years, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia designates Hezbollah’s financial arm as ‘terrorists’

Al Jazeera  

Riyadh freezes assets of Lebanon-based Al-Qard Al-Hassan and bans dealings with the association over Hezbollah links. Saudi Arabia has classified the Lebanon-based Al-Qard Al-Hassan association as a “terrorist” entity, citing links to activities supporting Lebanon’s Shia group Hezbollah, state media reported. “The association works on managing funds for the terrorist organisation and its financing, including support for military purposes,” the …

Saudi Arabia, UAE summon Lebanon envoys over Yemen war criticism
3 years, 2 months ago

Saudi Arabia, UAE summon Lebanon envoys over Yemen war criticism

Al Jazeera  

Gulf states angered by Lebanese information minister’s remarks about the Saudi-led war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have summoned Lebanon’s ambassadors to protest against Information Minister George Kordahi’s criticism of the Riyadh-led military coalition fighting rebels in Yemen. Kordahi said during an interview aired on Monday that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are “defending themselves …

UAE, Saudis summon Lebanon ambassadors over FM’s comments
3 years, 7 months ago

UAE, Saudis summon Lebanon ambassadors over FM’s comments

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates summoned their Lebanese ambassadors Tuesday to protest televised remarks by Lebanon’s foreign minister, in which he suggested Gulf countries provided backing to extremists. Wehbe’s remarks to the U.S.-backed Alhurra news channel caused a firestorm in Lebanon and among Gulf countries. When asked if he meant that Gulf countries financed IS, he …

What Saudi Arabia’s options are after unprecedented attack on its oil infra
5 years, 3 months ago

What Saudi Arabia’s options are after unprecedented attack on its oil infra

Live Mint  

A predawn attack on the heart of Saudi Arabia’s energy industry knocked out half of the country’s oil production and raised the prospect of retaliation. Bigger Military Involvement in Yemen: Saudi Arabia hasn’t blamed anyone for the attack, but hours after the raid, Saudi fighter jets pounded Houthi militia positions in the northern Yemeni provinces of Saada and Al Jawf. …

Saudi Arabia appoints first female ambassdor to US amid growing pressure over Jamal Khashoggi murder; seeks to better ties with West
5 years, 10 months ago

Saudi Arabia appoints first female ambassdor to US amid growing pressure over Jamal Khashoggi murder; seeks to better ties with West

Firstpost  

US still remains a major trade partner for Saudi Arabia with the latter drawing eight percent of imports from the former and around 10 percent of its exports going to America, CNN reported. In the light of this strategic trade relation, Reema’s appointment would serve a twin purpose and as Saudi Arabia may like it, would possibly improve the strained …

Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador over criticism
6 years, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador over criticism

LA Times  

Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador Monday and froze “all new business” with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdom’s arrest of women’s rights activists — yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadh’s new assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s 32-year-old future leader whose recent …

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