Lebanon: United Arab Emirates join Franco-Saudi Fund

This decision was made during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron in the Gulf, in December 2021, announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Le Monde and Reuters

The United Arab Emirates will join the aid fund set up by France and Saudi Arabia for the Lebanese population, while the country of cedar is immersed in a deep economic crisis, announced on Tuesday 11 January in the evening, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

“During the visit of the President Macron [in December 2021] in the Gulf, we have been able to reappointed these links” between Lebanon and the Gulf countries, welcomed the leader of French diplomacy before the Commission. foreign affairs of the National Assembly. “This is a novelty that will allow the establishment of a Franco-Saudi Fund for Assistance and Support for Lebanese, accompanied tomorrow or after tomorrow by the contribution of the Emirates,” he added.

Saudi Arabia and France announced in December 2021 to “fully engage” with a view to a revival of the links between Beirut and the Kingdom, undoing the growing power of the Pro-Iranian Lebanese Shiite Movement Hezbollah.

Serious diplomatic crisis

A serious diplomatic crisis has been opposed since the end of October, 2021 Lebanon to several Arabian Gulf monarchies on the back of an iron arm about this movement, heavyweight of Lebanese politics, which is armed and funded by Iran. , great regional rival of Saudi Arabia.

Riyad then recalled his ambassador to Beirut, expelled the Lebanese ambassador and forbids imports from Lebanon.

Three other Gulf countries – Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait – have taken retaliation measures with respect to Beirut. What has further aggravated the severe Lebanese economic crisis.

/Media reports.