Saudi Arabia has severely criticized and opposed disrespectful remarks about the Kingdom and its nationals expressed by the caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister, Charbel Wehbe, during a TV interview on Monday.

The Saudi foreign ministry stated in a statement posted by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday that the disrespectful words were intended not just at Saudi Arabia and its people, but also at Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

As per the foreign ministry, these remarks are incompatible with the most basic diplomatic conventions and with the two nations' historical relations.

Given the potential impact of the insulting remarks on bilateral ties, the ministry contacted the Lebanese ambassador to convey the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of the comments made by the Lebanese foreign minister.

In this context, the Lebanese embassy was given a demarche.

Previously in the day, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun stated that the foreign minister's remarks on Gulf nations did not represent official policy and that his country is eager to preserve strong relations with Gulf nations, especially with Saudi Arabia.

The words by Lebanon's president came only a day after the country's caretaker foreign minister made disparaging statements about Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, implying that the Kingdom had assisted fund the growth of Daesh (the so-called ISIS) in Syria and Iraq.

“The president believes that now the foreign minister's words represent his viewpoint so in no way represent the standpoint of the Lebanese state and its President General Michel Aoun, who is intent on opposing any offense against friendly nations in general, and Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations specifically,” Aoun's office stated.

Charbel Wehbe, the caretaker Lebanese president, likewise attempted to retract his words.

"I wish to emphasize, once more, that some of the incorrect comments that I have made out of anger in rejection of the reprehensible crimes intended at the President of the Republic are the sort for that I do not refuse to apologize," Wehbe said in a speech on Tuesday.

“Also, the objective was not to insult any of the brotherly Arab nations or citizens at any time, with my attempts never stopping to improve ties with them for the general welfare and good, and always on the principles of mutual respect,” he continued in the message.