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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Kuwait FM from Beirut: Lebanon Shouldn't Be Platform to Attack Arab, Gulf Countries

Sheikh Ahmad meets with Mikati at the Grand Serail. (AP)

Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah urged on Saturday Lebanon against meddling in the affairs of any Arab country.

The FM had arrived in Beirut on Friday on a one-day visit as part of efforts to rebuild trust with Lebanon and show solidarity with its people.

The move had been coordinated with other Gulf countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are sympathetic with the Lebanese people, he added.

Sheikh Ahmad met on Friday with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and later his Lebanese counterpart Abdullah Bou Habib.

He is scheduled to meet with President Michel Aoun and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Mikati welcomed the visit, saying it "reflects the close fraternal ties and the long history of understanding and trust between Lebanon and Kuwait."

"The ties have set an example in brotherhood and we thank Kuwait for its constant support to Lebanon and for embracing the Lebanese people," he added.

"The Lebanese people will not forget Kuwait's support to them during all challenging times, the most recent of which was the 2020 Beirut port explosion," he continued.

"We look forward to strengthening cooperation between Lebanon and the GCC and God willing, relations between Lebanon and the Arab brothers will regain their strength," he stated.

Sheikh Ahmad said there is a mutual desire for Lebanon to regain "its former glory."

He revealed that he had come to Lebanon with three messages: The first, to convey sympathy with the people; the second, to urge it against being a platform to attack Arab and Gulf countries; and the third, for it to commit to the reforms that are demanded of it.

"I am here to extract Lebanon from the problems it is enduring," he announced. "The withdrawal of ambassadors does not mean severing relations."

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain had pulled out their ambassadors to Beirut in October in wake of offensive comments made by a since resigned minister against Riyadh.

The GCC had in December called on Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out terrorist attacks. It had also called on it to strengthen its army and ensure that the possession of weapons in the country is limited to the state.

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