Controversy in Lebanon over Foreign Ministry Condemnation of Russia
A Lebanese Foreign Ministry statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stirred political controversy in Lebanon.
The pro-Hizbullah al-Akhbar newspaper said the Ministry’s stance reflects “a flagrant inability to understand global balances” and “idiocy in dealing with the world’s conflicts.”
It added that the statement also showed disregard for “the presence of thousands of students and businessmen in addition to huge Lebanese investments in Russia,” noting that no other Arab country has condemned Russia’s operation, and wondering whether the statement was the result of “American pressures.”
The daily also reported that the statement stirred great dismay among Lebanese diplomats and “strongly embarrassed Lebanon’s ambassador to Moscow Shawki Bou Nassar.”
Al-Akhbar said that during a book signing ceremony at the Egyptian ambassador’s residence, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov asked Bou Nassar whether he was consulted over the statement and “whether such a statement could have been issued without the knowledge of the President and the Prime Minister.”
“Wasn’t the Lebanese Foreign Minister here recently to ask Moscow for help in resolving Lebanon’s internal problems?” the newspaper quoted Bogdanov as saying.
According to the same daily, the statement was issued following consultations between President Michel Aoun and PM Najib Miqati, as Speaker Nabih Berri said he was not notified of the statement prior to its issuance.
Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan meanwhile said that the statement “does not reflect the stance of Lebanon, which prides itself in the historic ties with the Russian Federation.”
“We better focus on our problems and crises and work on addressing them,” Arslan added.
25 February 2022, 16:03
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Well then I guess it is lucky that Hezbollah and its friends are not running the Lebanese government on behalf of all Lebanese ...
25 February 2022, 16:10
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“idiocy in dealing with the world’s conflicts.” isn't this the tagline of al-Akhbar newspaper?
"the statement also showed disregard for the presence of thousands of students and businessmen" sure, and the statements of Hizbullah and it's al-Akhbar about the gulf states, shows how much they care about the more than 600 thousands who earn their livelihoods in these states, help support their loved ones in Lebanon and prop up what remains of the Lebanese economy.
25 February 2022, 23:45
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Fady where the hell is Qater? Never mind. Have you forgotten about multiple statements of successive Hezbollah's sitting ministers or about something called Charbel Wehbe? Maybe you don't know Wehbe because, whoever asked you to open this fresh new account didn't tell you about him. Go look him up, he's fascinating; a very diplomatic "career diplomat", a pro. Al Akhbar and you have the right to criticize whoever you want. But also as, Al Akhbar like any newspaper has a right to criticize any government, I have the right to criticize Al-Akhbar or does the Fakih consider this a mortal sin?
25 February 2022, 16:41
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Al-Akhbar Newspaper is best for lining the bottom of bird cages.
25 February 2022, 16:59
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Those like Hezbollah and Talal Arslan are known to be puppets of the tyrannic Russian regime, with many dodgy financial interests in Russia. The Arab League should in turn condemn Russia's unprovoked aggression, in the strongest terms, just like the UN, NATO, the EU and so many countries around the world, have.
