BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday urged a cabinet minister who triggered a rift with Saudi Arabia to put national interests first but stopped short of asking him to resign, as he struggles for a way out of the diplomatic crisis.

The rift ignited by Information Minister George Kordahi’s remarks criticising Saudi Arabia over the Yemen war has added to the problems facing Mikati and his government, which was already paralysed by a row over the probe into last year’s Beirut port explosion.

Barely two months since the government was agreed following a year of political conflict, the tensions have complicated Mikati’s attempts to begin addressing Lebanon’s most pressing problem – its catastrophic financial meltdown.

In a speech, Mikati said there would be “decisive meetings” ahead to resolve issues facing the government.

But he gave no indication that solutions were in sight.

Saudi Arabia and two other Gulf states expelled the Lebanese envoys in their capitals in response to Kordahi’s comments, which were recorded before he took office but aired last week. The United Arab Emirates withdrew its diplomatic staff from Beirut.

France, which has led international efforts to salvage Lebanon from myriad problems, said it was of crucial importance the country was left out of broader regional crises.

Mikati said the comments had presented the government with a difficult challenge and urged Kordahi to “prioritise national interest”.

“I repeat calls for the information minister to listen to his conscience and take circumstances into consideration and take the stance he should take,” Mikati said. – Reuters