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Franjieh: We Won't Name Replacement for Kordahi

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh on Sunday announced that his party will not name a successor for Information Minister George Kordahi, who resigned on Friday over a diplomatic crisis with the Gulf states.

"With our respect and love for all the names that have been raised in the press, our stance that we expressed in Bkirki about not naming a successor to ex-minister George Kordahi has not and will not change," Franjieh tweeted.

Kordahi stepped down Friday in a move he said could open the way for easing an unprecedented diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations that has compounded Lebanon's multiple crises.

The resigned minister had criticized the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen during an interview which was recorded before he became minister but was aired after he joined the Cabinet.

His comments angered Saudi Arabia as well as Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE, which responded by recalling their ambassadors from Beirut.

Saudi Arabia also blocked imports and Kuwait said it would limit visas issued to Lebanese, prompting fears that a Gulf backlash could endanger the interests of millions of expatriates living in Arab states of the oil-rich Gulf.

The standoff marked a fresh blow for Lebanon, whose government was only formed in September after a 13-month deadlock.

Source: Naharnet


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