The United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the latest Gulf nation that followed in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia to withdraw its diplomats from Beirut amid an ongoing row over a Lebanese minister’s critical comments over the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia expelled Lebanon’s envoy and banned all Lebanese imports Friday, and Bahrain and Kuwait followed suit Saturday, giving the top Lebanese diplomats 48 hours to exit. The UAE also advised its citizens not to travel to Lebanon.
Earlier Saturday, Kuwait ordered the Lebanese charge d’affaires to leave the emirate within two days and also recalled its ambassador from Beirut. Kuwait’s foreign ministry said the expulsion and recall were based on the “failure” of the Lebanese government to “address the unacceptable and reprehensible statements against the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest” of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The GCC is a six-member regional body that comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
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