In an interview with “Al Sayyad” magazine, Gemail said that “interfering in the domestic affairs of brotherly and friendly countries, including GCC ones, is against Lebanon’s national interests, as GCC States, especially Bahrain, have opened their hearts to all Lebanese people.”In this regard, he rejected some Lebanese political leaders’ supportive stances towards sectarian protests in some Arab countries, particularly in Bahrain, affirming that those statements have had negative impacts on the Lebanese community in Bahrain, who receive special care from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his government.
He also described the Bahraini-Lebanese relations as “solid” both publicly and officially as the citizens of one country feel at home when they are visiting the other country, adding that Bahrain has always backed the Lebanese cause. He also expressed regret over involving Lebanon in controversies that do not serve its interests, which, he said, contradicts with Lebanon’s long-held tradition of non-interference in brotherly and friendly countries’ affairs.
“Is the situation in Lebanon perfect so as to advise others on how to deal with their own affairs,” he inquired, requesting Lebanese political leaders to focus on Lebanon’s own domestic affairs. “The kingdom’s wise leadership is patriotic and dedicated in the service of the Bahraini citizens, and HM King Hamad and his government have spared no effort in supporting Arab causes, so it is neither logical nor fair to give them advice on how to run their country’s internal affairs,” he said.
He also warned of the negative and dangerous repercussions of those statements on the Lebanese community in Bahrain and other GCC countries. In this context, he called upon the Lebanese government to openly voice its supportive stance and solidarity with the brotherly countries hosting Lebanese nationals, especially Bahrain.
He also said the situation in Lebanon is a living proof that “street opposition” leads to nothing but chaos as most of its leaders disagree on everything, asserting that some rioters in Bahrain wanted to remove the ruling system, while others demanded constitutional reforms and the rest asked for social changes. “So,” he concluded, “we should not back those protestors who do not agree on what they are protesting for.”