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Emmanuel Macron called between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon

Emmanuel Macron called Saturday between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon leaders to end a diplomatic dispute that led to Beirut being imposed sanctions by Gulf states.

The French president, the first Western leader to visit the monarchy since the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, forced his invitation to attend a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, a trip aimed at emphasizing France. influence in the area.

Saudi Arabia remembered its ambassador and expelled the Lebanese ambassador in October after Lebanese intelligence minister George Kordahi condemned a Saudi-led crackdown on Houthi-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. It also banned imports from Lebanon, which has endured much of its economic crisis for decades. Other Gulf states did the same.

Macron said an important part was played by Saudi Arabia in preparing for the resumption of investment with Lebanon after the first phase of three negotiations.

“We worked together in Lebanon and we phoned [Lebanese] Prime Minister Mikati together to deliver a clear message from Saudi Arabia and France that we want to engage with, “Macron told reporters in Jeddah.

“We want to take action to help the people of Lebanon and do whatever it takes to keep the economy and trade open.”

Despite Kordahi’s comments, the root of the Gulf crisis is the Hezbollah influence over Iran, even billions of Saudi Arabia’s financial aid to Beirut over the past few decades.

Kordahi said Friday he would resign at the request of France.

French officials say Saudi Arabia has agreed to send its ambassador to Beirut, but it is not known if he will.

France’s proposal for Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati to travel to Jeddah to meet Macron and Prince Mohammed was rejected.

The Saudi-French joint statement has said it agreed on a “communication strategy” to help prominent people in Lebanon, as well as the need to ban weapons from legitimate government agencies, Hezbollah’s secret coverage.

Western leaders have refused to travel to Saudi Arabia since the assassination of Khashoggi by Saudi envoys at the embassy in Istanbul. The CIA confirmed that Prince Mohammed must have approved the project. He denied any involvement with Riyadh and said the killings were the result of brutality.

Macron stopped criticizing his travels. “Who really thinks for a moment that we can help Lebanon, that we can try to maintain the stability we are working for in the Middle East, if we say ‘we are no longer talking to Saudi Arabia’,” he said. said in Dubai on Friday.

Macron said France, a former Lebanese settler, played a key role in the negotiations. “It does not mean that we accept or forget,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we don’t want friends.”

A French official said Saudi Arabia’s agreement to renew ties with Lebanon was the result of a Western diplomat’s high-profile visit.

The district commissioner said France had grown significantly over the past few weeks. “With the upcoming elections in France, it is important that they move forward with this file,” he said.

Macron is accompanying business representatives. In Dubai he announced a $ 19bn for Rafale fighter jets and helicopters.

In Jeddah, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries has announced a partnership with French companies Airbus and Figeac Aéro.


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