Report: Saudi, Egyptian Officials 'Annoyed' with Bassil's Disassociation Statements
Saudi Arabian and Egyptian officials were reportedly “annoyed” with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil's remarks at the Arab League summit that Lebanon is committed to its policy of disassociation from regional disputes, said the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.
The officials were bothered that the policy did not coincide with the Arab consensus on backing a coalition to combat regional threats.
They were reportedly asked to await Prime Minister Tammam Salam's statement at the Arab League summit ahead of jumping to conclusions over Lebanon's official stance.
Salam had declared during his speech on Saturday night that Lebanon is “keen on the joint Arab interest.”
He also voiced his “complete support” to any Arab position that preserves the sovereignty of Yemen.
The premier added however that Lebanon should “be kept neutral regional conflicts.”
The 22 members of the Arab League met in Egypt's Sharm al-Sheikh for a summit overshadowed by the Saudi-led offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels to discuss a joint-Arab military force to confront "terrorist groups".
M.T.
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