Aoun advocates “direct dialogue” to resolve diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia

BEIRUT — President Michel Aoun on Monday advocated “direct dialogue” between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and expressed his hope that the countries would have “the best relations,” as the diplomatic crisis unleashed last week by comments from Information Minister George Kurdahi persisted.

Here’s what we know:

    • According to the president’s office, Aoun met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday before the latter departed to attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. The two discussed “measures to be taken” in relation to finding solutions to the diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states, while Aoun reiterated his desire to maintain “the best possible relations with the Saudi kingdom and the Gulf states.”

    • The diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf monarchies is expected to be addressed during conversations between Mikati and world leaders on the sidelines of the Glasgow summit.

    • Saudi Arabia on Friday reacted to remarks Kurdahi made on the war in Yemen during an TV interview recorded prior to his appointment as minister but only aired last week by banning Lebanese imports and recalling its ambassador to Lebanon. Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates all subsequently recalled their ambassadors to Lebanon.

    • As the crisis evolved over the weekend, Mikati urged the information minister to “place his sense of patriotism above all,” but did not directly ask for Kurdahi’s resignation. On Sunday, Kurdahi ruled out any potential ​​resignation.