GCC calls for Lebanese dissociation

Lebanon is coming under pressure from Gulf nations for its handling of the Syrian crisis. Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Latif al-Zayani met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Tuesday, demanding the country follow its policy of “dissociation.” Lebanon has repeatedly claimed it will maintain neutrality in the nearby conflict. Sleiman, one of the key architects of the Baabda Declaration which set out Lebanon's policy of dissociation, reportedly reassured the GCC chief. Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon also called on Lebanese officials and politicians to maintain neutrality, amid fears the ongoing conflict could spill over into Lebanon.