The UAE along with Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia expel Lebanese diplomats. “The UAE announced the withdrawal of its diplomats from Lebanon in solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in light of the unacceptable approach of some Lebanese officials towards Saudi Arabia,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It “also decided to prevent its citizens from travelling to Lebanon,” it added.

The dispute started this week with the broadcast of an interview in which the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen was criticised by Lebanon’s Information Minister George Kordahi. “Sack this minister who will destroy our relations with the Arab Gulf before it is too late,” Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said on Twitter. On Friday, Saudi Arabia announced recalling its ambassador and gave Beirut’s diplomats 48 hours to leave Riyadh.