Lebanon 'under Arab siege': Parliament Speaker

By Waseem Saifeddin
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday his country is under siege, amid a diplomatic crisis with Gulf countries.

Speaking during a meeting with the head of Lebanon's Editors-in-Chief Syndicate, Joseph Qossaifi, Berri questioned how could the Arab countries open their doors for Israel, while they "close their gates in front of Lebanon who paid a heavy price to preserve its Arab identity."

"Yes, Lebanon is facing a siege," Berri said. "In order to reach solutions, there must be dialogue."

Relations have strained between Lebanon and the Gulf countries following controversial statements by former Information Minister George Kordahi on the Yemeni conflict before he took his post in the new Lebanese government.

Angered by Kordahi's comments, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Lebanon.

In a bid to end the diplomatic row with the Gulf countries, Kordahi resigned from his post on December 3.

Lebanon seeks to end the diplomatic crisis with the Gulf as the country is suffering a crippling economic crisis, amid fuel and medical supply shortages.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara