Chairperson of Council of Saudi Chambers Mr. Ajlan Al Ajlan called on Saudi businessmen and companies to halt all commercial and economic transactions with Lebanon “after the Lebanese government continued in justifying terrorist acts targeting the Kingdom,” stressing that “this is the least we can offer in defense of our homeland.”

“The Lebanese government’s tenacity in sanctioning terrorist operations has reached a point where drug smuggling targeting our country is no longer sufficient,” Al Ajlan continued. The head of the Lebanese Executive Council underlined that while this position impacts direct dealings with Lebanon, it also affects Lebanese in the Kingdom.

Lebanon, which is already hit by an economic collapse, is facing a backlash from the Arab Gulf states following Information Minister Georges Kordahi’s harsh criticism of Saudi Arabia in a dispute that has heightened tensions in Beirut’s relations with generous donors.

Many ordinary Lebanese are concerned that they will pay the price for the diplomatic impasse caused by a recent schism that has its roots in the long-running rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is stoking tensions throughout the Middle East.