UAE recalls its diplomats from Lebanon

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE has decided to recall its diplomats from Lebanon. The decision to recall the diplomats was taken in solidarity with Saudi Arabia on the back of the unacceptable approach by some Lebanese officials towards the Kingdom, said Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State.

He pointed out that work would continue in the UAE consular section and visa centre in Beirut during the current period.

The UAE also decided to ban Emiratis from traveling to Lebanon.

Earlier in the day Kuwait gave Lebanon's ambassador 48 hours to leave the emirate on Saturday, a day after Saudi Arabia made a similar move over a minister's comments about its war in Yemen.
The diplomatic row, which has also seen Bahrain expel Lebanon's envoy, has dealt another blow to Lebanon, already in the midst of crippling political and economic crises.

"Kuwait... asks Lebanese envoy to leave country in 48 hours," Kuwait's foreign ministry said on Saturday in a brief statement carried by state news agency KUNA.

The statement added that Kuwait's top diplomat to Beirut was also being recalled.