05 Nov 2021; MEMO: Lebanese Minister of Information, George Kordahi, will resign if the Gulf countries provide guarantees that this will change their position towards Lebanon, Anadolu news agency reported.
The agency quoted sources close to Kordahi as saying "he will not resign", adding that he is waiting to meet with the Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, to discover if his removal from office would change the relationship with the Gulf.
"Kordahi wants to see if the resignation is accompanied by guarantees that such a step will be met with positive positions from Gulf states. He believes that any resignation that does not change the Gulf position on Lebanon remains in vain," the sources said.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait have recalled their envoys from Lebanon, following statements made by the Lebanese minister earlier in August, in which he said the Houthis in Yemen are "defending themselves against external aggression", in reference to the Saudi-led coalition.
The Lebanese MTV channel quoted a Saudi diplomatic source as saying that the severe diplomatic crisis will lead to Lebanon's isolation in the Arab world.
The channel also quoted a source close to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as saying that all Lebanese ambassadors will be expelled from GCC countries, adding that may be plans to impose comprehensive political and economic sanctions on Lebanon.
On Thursday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Kordahi to make Lebanon's national interests a "priority", hinting that he should resign.
