BEIRUT — The foreign minister in the caretaker Lebanese government has offered to resign after his recent “disgraceful” and “racist” remarks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states drew strong reactions.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe met on Wednesday separately with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the Caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, and formally submitted a request to quit the Cabinet.

Wehbe suggested on Monday during a TV interview that Gulf states had supported the rise of Daesh (the so-called ISIS), among other disparaging comments.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain on Tuesday summoned Lebanon's ambassadors and issued formal complaints.

The GCC chief sought an official apology from Wehbe for his “unacceptable offenses”.

After meeting President Michel Aoun, Wehbe said he had submitted a request to step down "in light of the recent developments and the circumstances that accompanied the interview I gave to a television station".

After handing over his resignation letter to the caretaker Lebanese premier, the foreign minister said that he hopes the issue will be put to rest so that Lebanese relations with Arab countries, and friendly and brotherly countries will be established on the basis of mutual respect. — Agencies