At a press conference held today (Friday), Lebanese Information Minister George Kurdahi announced his resignation, after expressing criticism of Saudi Arabia and saying that the war with Yemen was "pointless."
At a press conference he stated that his remarks about the war were not meant to offend anyone, and that it was a call for an end to the war for the benefit of both sides.
The minister also mentioned that he said these things before he was appointed to the position.
"The campaigns against me bothered me because they made the whole nation responsible for the things I said with love," he added.
"We are facing new developments today, including a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Saudi Arabia. I have decided to relinquish my ministerial role and continue to serve my country wherever I go," he said in an official statement.
Cordachi added that he understood from Prime Minister Najib Mikati that France wanted him to resign before the French president's visit to Saudi Arabia to resolve the crisis between the two countries.
As mentioned, in recent weeks Qordahi has sparked a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia, after a video in which he expressed a controversial opinion was circulated on social media.
In the video, his interview on the Qatari al-Jazeera network, in which he was asked about the war in Yemen and criticized Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Among other things, he said that this was a pointless war.
Following the interview, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states decided to return their ambassadors from Lebanon and expelled the Lebanese ambassadors.
Riyadh also threatened further sanctions.
Throughout the crisis, Kordahi has insisted he does not intend to resign, but last night estimates were published in the media that he intends to resign today.
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