PM Najib Mikati says Lebanon in “testing phase” of restoring relations with Gulf

BEIRUT — Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in an interview published Monday by Saudi-owned Asharq Alawsat newspaper that Lebanon was in a “testing phase of intentions” to restore diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states that cut relations with Beirut in late October.

Here’s what we know:

    • In the interview, Mikati said that his cabinet “is open to the Arab roadmap,” a reference to a 12-point initiative transmitted to Beirut by Kuwait in January. The roadmap calls for elections to be held on time on May 15, the launch of reforms and compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559, passed in 2004, which called for the disarming of Hezbollah.

    • Kuwait in late January said that Lebanon’s response to the roadmap was “under consideration,” while the Arab League in late February said it supported the 12-point initiative and offered to supervise Lebanon’s legislative elections.

    • “The Lebanese government is very committed to maintaining the best relations with Gulf monarchies,” Mikati said, adding that the cabinet was “aware of the importance that Lebanon not be a starting point for activities that could threaten [the Gulf’s] stability or shake up its historic relations with the Gulf countries.”

    • The premier added that he insists “that Lebanon move onto the phase of testing intentions, in order to restore its relations with Gulf countries.”

    • "We want to take all measures to prohibit the trafficking of illicit materials, in particular captagon, to Gulf countries," Mikati said.

    • Mikati’s statements were the latest in the highly public saga between Lebanon and Gulf states that erupted in late October. Saudi Arabia at the time cut diplomatic ties with Lebanon after then-Information Minister George Kurdahi’s comments criticizing Riyadh’s military offensive in Yemen.

    • Saudi Arabia also banned imports from Lebanon, saying the measure would prevent the smuggling of captagon to the kingdom, while Kuwait and the UAE withdrew their envoys from Beirut.

    • On Dec. 3, Kurdahi tendered his resignation ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Jeddah, where the European leader attempted to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.