Lebanese foreign minister to skip Arab League meeting, source says

Gebran Bassil is the son-in-law of Lebanese president Michel Aoun, an ally of Iran-backed Hizbollah

Lebanon foreign minister Gebran Bassil. Cynthia Karam / Reuters
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Lebanese foreign minister Gebran Bassil will not be attending the emergency Arab League meeting on Sunday to discuss Iran’s interference in the affairs of Arab countries.

"This morning, a decision was taken that Lebanon would be presented by Antoine Azzam, the permanent representative to the Arab League," a foreign ministry source told AFP.

"Foreign minister Gebran Bassil will not be present."

Mr Bassil is the son-in-law of Lebanese president Michel Aoun, an ally of Iran-backed Hizbollah.

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Saudi Arabia called for an urgent gathering of foreign ministers to discuss Iranian actions in the region. Riyadh has accused Iran of providing Yemen's Houthi rebels with missiles that have been used in attacks against the kingdom.

This also comes after Saad Hariri resigned as Lebanese prime minister from Riyadh, criticising Tehran’s influence in his country.

Lebanon’s political scene is split between supporters of the Iran-backed Hizbollah group and its allies and a Saudi-supported alliance led by Mr Hariri.