George Kordahi, the Minister of Information of Lebanon, announced Friday (December 3rd) his resignation in an attempt to resolve the diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Riyadh, before Emmanuel Macron's trip to Saudi Arabia.

George Kordahi triggered the anger of the Saudis at the end of October by assuring in an interview that the Shiite Houthi groups fought by Saudi Arabia and a Gulf coalition in Yemen were defending themselves against external aggression.

After the minister's statements, a reflection according to Riyadh of the problematic hold of pro-Iranian Hezbollah on Lebanon, Saudi Arabia had expelled the Lebanese ambassador to the kingdom and banned all imports of Lebanese products.

Diplomatic measures have also been taken by several allies of Arabia in the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

George Kordahi's resignation had been on the table for several weeks and could unblock the political and diplomatic crisis that has paralyzed the Lebanese government since October.

Backed by Hezbollah, George Kordahi refused for weeks to resign, even after Prime Minister Najib Mikati asked him to put national interest above personal interest.

French tour in the Gulf

This expected development coincides with a visit to the Gulf by French President Emmanuel Macron, spearheading the international community in efforts to help Lebanon emerge from the worst economic crisis in its history. 

Emmanuel Macron has started his two-day visit to Abu Dhabi and is also expected to visit Qatar, which Michel Aoun also visited recently, as well as Saudi Arabia.

George Kordahi told AFP he hoped his resignation, in addition to Macron's visit to the Gulf, would help break the political deadlock.

“This is a request from Saudi Arabia, and now with Emmanuel Macron's visit, the time has come,” he said.

A senior Lebanese official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the resignation, which George Kordahi initially ruled out, had become inevitable earlier this week when he met Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

"Macron told Mikati before his visit to the Gulf: 'If you want me to talk about Lebanon when I'm there, you have to give me something,'" the official said.

“He didn't say what, but Mikati got it,” he added.

George Kordahi had criticized Riyadh's military intervention in Yemen in an interview recorded before he was appointed minister, but broadcast on Lebanese television after the formation of the government.

The crisis sparked by his words was a blow to Lebanon, whose new government was formed in September after a 13-month political stalemate.

This government was committed to initiating reforms to get the country out of an unprecedented economic crisis.

With AFP and Reuters

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