Tensions in the Gulf heat up, Kuwait and UAE’s turn to expel the Lebanese ambassador

KUWAIT CITY – Tensions in the Gulf are getting hotter after Kuwait and United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed suit Saudi Arabia and Bahrain by expelling diplomatic envoys Lebanon . The row was sparked by a statement by a Lebanese minister regarding the crisis in Yaman .

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said it had decided to summon its ambassador to Lebanon for consultations and demanded that the Lebanese charge d’affaires leave within 48 hours.

“This is a continuation of Lebanon’s negative statements and failure to address the unacceptable and condemned attitude towards our brother Saudi Arabia,” read a statement issued by Kuwait’s foreign ministry. Miami Herald, Sunday (31/10/2021).

The UAE said it decided to withdraw its diplomats from Lebanon in solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The UAE has also banned its citizens from traveling to Lebanon, the UAE’s official news agency WAM reported.

Earlier, Lebanese Information Minister George Kurdahi made a controversial statement saying the Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis, was defending itself and called Saudi Arabia and the UAE the aggressors in Yemen.

Also read: Calling the Houthis defending themselves from aggression, the Lebanese minister makes Saudi Arabia angry

Kurdahi’s remarks sparked criticism from Saudi Arabia. On Friday, Saudi Arabia said it was withdrawing its ambassador from Lebanon and ordered the Lebanese envoy to leave as part of several steps taken over what Riyadh deemed “offensive” statements made by Kurdahi.

The oil-rich monarchy has also imposed a ban on all Lebanese exports.

Saudi Arabia is the leader of a military alliance battling Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen.

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