The fiasco that recently unfolded, involving former caretaker Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe, could have resulted in serious repercussions on Lebanon’s diplomatic ties with the Arab states.
Here’s what Michel Hayek had said about the matter.
During the section of his 2020 forecast that is dedicated to Lebanon, Michel Hayek predicted: “A setback in diplomacy and a setback in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.”
In what could’ve plunged Lebanon into a diplomatic catastrophe, Charbel Wehbe, who, in his position as Foreign Minister, represents Lebanon’s head of diplomacy, made a dangerous accusation about Arab Gulf countries during his recent interview with Al-Hurra.
“… There is a second stage when ISIS came, and the countries of the people of love, friendship, and brotherhood brought them,” the former minister stated during the interview, implying Arab countries, and creating a storm of backlash that stayed alive well after his resignation.
He was also severely criticized for calling the Saudi commentator debating him “a Bedouin.”
The setback could have been much worse, as Wehbe‘s remarks prompted fears that Gulf countries would cut their relations with Lebanon.
It’s important to note that the incident came in a very sensitive period of Lebanon’s ties with these countries, considering their disapproval of its current political course, let alone the numerous drug shipments that they have received from Lebanon.
