Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has thanked the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for supporting Beirut during a “sensitive phase”, a day after the GCC issued a statement condemning Hezbollah’s interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs, Al Jazeera reports.

Raggi has spoken with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, expressing gratitude for Gulf backing.

Albudaiwi earlier condemned “irresponsible” comments by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem regarding Bahrain’s judicial and security measures against individuals convicted of spying for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Qassem criticised Bahrain’s handling of Lebanese residents with alleged Hezbollah links, with Manama having deported several such individuals earlier in May.