A chapter is closing in the open crisis between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Five months after recalling its ambassador, against the backdrop of a tussle around the growing influence on the domestic scene and at the regional level of the Shiite movement Hezbollah, an ally of its Iranian rival, Riyadh announced, on Thursday 7 April, the return of Walid Al-Bukhari to Beirut. This symbolic gesture, obtained after intense diplomatic efforts by France and mediation by Kuwait – which also announced the return of its ambassador – should be accompanied by the activation of a joint humanitarian support mechanism between Paris and Riyadh.
Presented by the Wahhabi Kingdom as a “response to the appeals of moderate political forces in Lebanon, and to the commitment of the Lebanese government to take the necessary measures to cease all political, military and security activities affecting the kingdom”, the return of Ambassador Bukhari was greeted with relief by Lebanese officials. The latter had multiplied declarations of intent to appease Riyadh’s anger and put an end to this crisis, a new blow for this adrift country. “Lebanon is proud of its Arab affiliation and is keen to maintain the best ties with the Gulf nations”welcomed on Twitter the Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.
The return of Ambassador Boukhari does not mean the end of Saudi grievances against Lebanon, nor the re-engagement of Riyadh on the domestic scene as the legislative elections of May 15 approach. “The ambassador is coming back so as not to leave the place empty. It’s a soft exit from a crisis they’ve gotten themselves into. But, at the political level, the Saudi position remains the same, and nothing fundamental will change before the elections.analyzes Joseph Bahout, director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.
Macron’s “realism”
The diplomatic crisis erupted on October 29, 2021, after controversial remarks by the former Minister of Information, Georges Cordahi, on the role of the Saudi coalition in the war in Yemen. Riyadh then recalled its ambassador, expelled the Lebanese ambassador from the kingdom and banned imports from Lebanon. In solidarity, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait had also taken retaliatory measures against Beirut. “The problem goes far beyond the simple comments of a minister”however, quickly clarified the head of Saudi diplomacy, denouncing “Hezbollah’s hegemony over Lebanon”.
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