The Bustros Palace, headquarters of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo credit: ANI)
BEIRUT – Foreign Ministry said Friday that it has been “officially informed” of the Kuwaiti ambassador’s return to Lebanon, a day after Saudi Arabia announced the return of its ambassador to Beirut.
Here’s what we know:
• “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is delighted to have been officially notified of the return of Abdel Aal Al-Qenai to his post in Beirut,” said the Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement.
• Recalling the “long history” between Kuwait and Lebanon, the Foreign Ministry hailed Kuwait’s role in “preserving and improving relations with all Arab countries.”
• For his part, Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, said Friday that Kuwait and Riyadh’s decision marks “a new stage of hope and confidence in the future of Arab Lebanon.”
• Diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia deteriorated after then-Information Minister George Kurdahi made statements about Riyadh’s role in the Saudi-Yemeni war before he resigned on Dec. 4, 2021. Saudi Arabia had recalled its ambassador from Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain followed.
• Kuwait sent Lebanon an Arab roadmap for restoring relations with the Arab monarchies in January, which contains 12 points. These include positions on Hezbollah’s arms and several requests from the international community — such as the organization of the parliamentary elections and the implementation of reforms, as well as a call for compliance with UN Resolution 1559. At the end of January, Kuwait announced that Lebanon's response to the proposals was “under consideration” and that decisions would be taken based on the follow-up to the initiative.