Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/30/lebanon-wants-best-relations-with-saudi-arabia-gcc-aoun-says
The Lebanese President has just said the country wants “best relations with Saudi Arabia along with other Gulf countries. The conflict between the two states began after video surfaced of an interview in which Lebanese Minister George Kordahi criticized the Saudi-led coalition’s war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Kordahi also is a member of a small Christian party that is allied with the terrorist group the Hezbollah, that backs the Houthis in Yemen along with Hezbollah praising Kordahi for stance. With the Hezbollah’s large control over politics in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia has distanced itself from the country and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, and Bahrain drew their envoys from Beirut and removed ties with their ambassadors in Lebanon. And Lebanon’s already crumbling economy was hurt by Saudi Arabia’s ban on all Lebanese imports. Now, Lebanese officials are calling for dialogue with Saudi Arabia and dismissed Kordahi views as they stated they do not reflect those of Lebanon. Lebanon also met with Qatar, a Gulf Cooperation Council member to discuss ways to create better relations.
Although Kordahi made comments criticizing Saudi and has close ties to the Hezbollah, that Saudi deems a terrorist organization, Lebanese President Anoun has stated that he will not ask him to resign. I think this shows to Saudi Arabia and other states that Lebanon is trying to ally themselves with now that they are desperate for economic and political help, but are not really aligned with the states. In Lebanon’s current crippling economy, Saudi Arabia’s ban on all Lebanese importance should be a key factor in creating cooperation between the two countries however, the Lebanese president is a part of the Free Patriotic Movement party that is allied with the Hezbollah, so, even if things do change there is still a strong tie between the country and the deemed terrorist organization that Saudi Arabia actively opposes.
Lebanon is attempting to strengthen their relationship with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) primarily for economic gain. Lebanon’s struggling economy is in need of help from global powers to rebuild and restructure. The GCC is a political and economic IGO of Arab state bordering the Gulf. As, in the liberal view, organizations are critutial to facilitation of cooperation, creating good relations with the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council will help Lebanon to become successful in repairing their country. Saudi Arabia’s sanctions on Lebanon are a prime example of top powers being able to use their stance to enforce their beliefs. As they do not like the Hezbollah, the sanctions will force Lebanon to cooperate with what Saudi wants.