UAE Withdraws Diplomats from Lebanon, Aoun Urges 'Treaties' with KSA

The United Arab Emirates said Saturday that it would withdraw its diplomats from Lebanon in solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

It also said Emiratis would be "prevented" from traveling to Lebanon. Travel bans have happened previously to Lebanon over politics in the past.

The move comes as the Arab League chief expressed concerns about the deterioration of ties between Lebanon and the Gulf countries over statements made by Information Minister George Kordahi regarding the war in Yemen.

According to Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who is in Scotland, will discuss the crisis with foreign dignitaries.

President Michel Aoun said in a statement Saturday that Lebanon wants the best relations with Saudi Arabia and its neighbors.

In a statement, Aoun called for “institutionalizing and consolidating these relations through signing bilateral treaties between the two countries.”

He added that “it is necessary for communication between the two countries to be at the level that Lebanon aspires for in its relations with the kingdom and the rest of the Gulf countries.”

On Friday night, Miqati and Aoun discussed the Saudi decision and asked Kordahi to make the "appropriate decision," an apparent call for him to resign in hopes it will ease the tension.

Kordahi, a former TV show host, made the comments on a TV program before he was chosen for the post in September. Kordahi is close to the Marada Movement, an ally of Iran-backed Hizbullah.

The Lebanese minister's comments saw Saudi Arabia announce Friday that it was recalling its ambassador and it gave Beirut's envoy 48 hours to leave Riyadh.

His words have also sparked calls for him to resign or be sacked.

"Enough with catastrophies. Sack this minister who will destroy our relations with the Arab Gulf before it is too late," Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblat said on Twitter.