After the ministerial cell meeting ended, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bu Habib indicated that “communication has been made with the Americans to attend the meeting because they are able to address the current crisis.” He stressed: “We are keen to keep Lebanon on the Arab side.”

He added, “The international bodies that Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacted asked him not to consider resigning.”

In addition, Bou Habib confirmed that “the rift-repairing cell to resolve the crisis with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states will remain in permanent session.”

For his part, Minister of Education Abbas Al-Halabi said after the meeting: “Government work continues and the country cannot be left without a government given the crises we are experiencing. We are very hopeful that we will be able to resolve this crisis soon.”

The Ministerial Crisis Cell, dedicated to following up on the emerging crisis with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, began its meetings this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.