Kuwait Urges Lebanon to be 'Part of Arab Region', Vows to 'Maintain Aid'
Kuwait reassured Monday that it will maintain its support and aid for Lebanon despite the latest diplomatic rift between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf states.
“The Kuwaiti aid for the brotherly Lebanese people will continue,” Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah announced.
But he noted that “Lebanon is required to be part of its Arab region and its concerns and problems.”
The top Kuwaiti official's remarks come despite the fact that his country has joined Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf countries, except for Oman, in warning citizens against visiting Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia started its measures on February 19 when its foreign ministry announced that the kingdom was halting around $4 billion in military aid to the Lebanese army and security forces in response to what it called "hostile Lebanese positions resulting from the stranglehold of Hizbullah on the state" and Hizbullah "terrorist acts against Arab and Muslim nations."
Around 90 Lebanese citizens have also been fired from their jobs in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports.
The kingdom also attributed its move to Lebanon's refusal to join the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in condemning attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran last month. Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said Lebanon abstained from voting on the two resolutions in line with its famous “dissociation” policy and because Hizbullah was described as “terrorist” in the Arab statement.
Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran after demonstrators burned its embassy and a consulate following the Saudi execution of a prominent Shiite dissident, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Y.R.
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