Lebanese Foreign Minister Jubran Bassil has sparked uproar in the country after he suggested openness to Israel in an interview on Friday.
“There is no ideological problem for us with Israel, and we are not rejecting Israel’s existence,’’ Bassil told Lebanese television al-Mayadeen.
Lebanon does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
In 2006, Lebanon’s Iran-allied Hezbollah movement fought a devastating war against Israel.
The minister’s remarks triggered scathing criticism on social media and in some Lebanese newspapers.
The private-owned daily Ad Diyar described Bassil’s comment as “shocking and surprising.”
The newspaper also criticised the lack of attention given to the minister’s remarks in the country’s mainstream media.
“No one spoke of the statement in the Lebanese media although it has already been uploaded on social media,’’ the newspaper commented.
Bassil is the son-in-law of President Michel Aoun of Lebanon, who is a close ally of Hezbollah.
Bassil’s office defended him, saying his remarks had been taken out of context in an alleged attempt to harm his image.
“My wish is for everyone to live in peace and to recognise each other,’’ the minister’s office added in a statement issued on Thursday.
“”His position has always been that Israel is an aggressor, who conducts state terrorism,’’ Bassil’s office said. (dpa/NAN)
