Lebanon:  Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, has called for a national dialogue between the country's ruling political parties to discuss how to repair ties with Gulf countries.

"We need to come to an agreement to develop Lebanon's connections with Arab states, particularly Gulf countries, by neither insulting them or interfering in their internal issues," Mikati said in a televised speech, according to the Xinhua news. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Lebanon distancing itself from regional concerns in order to maintain its ties with the Arab world and the international community. Mikati also stated that he has been seeking to secure a meeting of the country's ministerial council to address the country's economic situation.

After a Lebanese Cabinet Minister criticised Riyadh's continuous military engagement in the Yemen war, Beirut's relations with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf backers have deteriorated.

Mikati's speech comes one day after Lebanese President Michel Aoun delivered a speech in which he called for a national dialogue to end governmental paralysis and pass important legislation, as well as an urgent dialogue on a financial recovery plan, administrative and financial decentralisation, and the defence strategy.

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