INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Arab League said yesterday it was concerned about the rapid deterioration of relations between Lebanon and the Gulf states following the critical remarks made by the Lebanese Minister of Intelligence regarding Saudi Arabia’s military interference in Yemen.
In a statement, Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the Arab League called on Gulf countries to consider measures they would take to avoid further negative consequences for Lebanon’s collapsing economy.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his deep concern and sadness over the rapid deterioration of relations between Lebanon and the Gulf countries, the statement said.
He added that the Secretary-General of the Arab League was confident that Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati would take action immediately to de-escalate tensions. In a statement, Lebanese Intelligence Minister George Kordahi, who was appointed Minister in the government that took office in September, described the war raging in Yemen since 2015 between the Shiite rebels Houthi and the Saudi-led Arab coalition as “useless”. He even estimated that “it must stop”.
Kordahi noted that the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, are defending themselves against “a foreign attack” and that their homes, villages, weddings, and funerals are bombarded by the Arab coalition. The interview of Kordahi was recorded, according to him, on August 5, and has been circulating on social media since Tuesday, sparking renewed tensions in Lebanon’s already strained relations with Gulf Arab states.
Also read: Libya Stabilization Initiative | Greece present in Libya once again
Saudi Arabia reacted on Wednesday, stressing that these statements undermine the coalition’s efforts and are not in line with the historical relations between Beirut and Riyadh. In a statement to Lebanese television on Wednesday, Kordahi stressed that his statements were his personal opinion and were made before he was appointed Minister on September 10th. He also assured that he did not attack Saudi Arabia. Yet, he avoided apologizing.
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati has found himself in a difficult position, all the more so because his country is looking forward to financial aid from Gulf countries to help its economy recover. On Friday, Saudi Arabia asked the Lebanese ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours and banned all imports from Lebanon. Bahrain imitated this move by Saudi Arabia.
Mikati immediately commented that he deeply regrets the decision of the kingdom and expressed the hope that the Saudi leadership, with its wisdom, would reconsider. The Lebanese Prime Minister reiterated his respect for the Saudi King and the Crown Prince and explicitly rejected anything that could damage the deep, fraternal relations with the kingdom, which has always been on the side of the Lebanese people when they were facing major challenges.
Source: CNA
Also read: Greece – Saudi Arabia | Joint statement on bilateral relations
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
Defence Equity Facility | European Commission and EIF Announce €40 Million Investment in European Defence and Security Tech Fund Keen Venture Partners
A few days ago, the European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) announced a €40 million investment deal with Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund — a pioneering…
SAFE | Unanimous Approval, Safeguards and Clauses for Turkey’s Participation
The EU’s General Affairs Council today gave the final green light to the creation of the new ‘SAFE’ financial instrument, which will provide loans of €150 billion for common investments in European defence.
United Kingdom | Hands Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The UK has signed an agreement to cede control of the disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with Westminster stating that the deal safeguards the future of…
IAI | Introduction of its New Quadcopter APUS 25
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled its APUS 25 quadcopter at IDET 2025, the international defence exhibition held in Brno, Czech Republic.
Opinion Article | Turkey’s Participation in European Defence: National Failure or National Opportunity?
On 27 May 2025, the General Affairs Council of the European Union (EU), despite opposition from Greece and Cyprus, decided by qualified majority — rather than unanimity…
Opinion article | The Institutional Deficit in the National Defence Industry – Turkey Has the SSB – Cyprus Has a Council – Greece Has a gap
My presence at the international Defence and Security exhibition FEINDEF in Madrid was not just another business mission. It was a cause for reflection.
Gripen AI | Artificial Intelligence vs. Pilot – Historic Flight with ‘Centaur’ System for Swedish Fighter
An artificial intelligence system took control of a Swedish Saab Gripen E fighter jet and engaged in a dogfight with another aircraft.
LRSO | The US Air Force’s New Nuclear Strike Cruise Missile
The United States Air Force (USAF) has recently released concept art of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) advanced stealth cruise missile, which will incorporate the W80-4 thermonuclear warhead.
Denmark | Strengthening Its Air Defence with NASAMS, VL MICA and IRIS-T SLM Systems
Denmark has decided to bolster its air defence by acquiring ground-based short-range missile systems of the NASAMS type, as well as the VL MICA and IRIS-T SLM systems.