Beirut/ Wasim Saif Al -Din/ Anatolia
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Thursday evening, affirmed the continuation of the Kingdom’s standing with Lebanon and its people, and its confidence in its new leadership “to start reforms.”
This came in a press conference held by Bin Farhan, in Baabda Al -Raisi Palace, east of Beirut, after the end of his talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Bin Farhan said: “I confirmed to Aoun the continued standing of Saudi Arabia with Lebanon and its people, and our great confidence in it and (Prime Minister -designate Nawaf) Salam, to start reforms and achieve stability.”
He added that Saudi Arabia “is optimistic about the future of Lebanon,” and considers that “the application of reforms will enhance the world’s confidence in it.”
He also expressed the Kingdom’s optimism that “Lebanese officials are joining to enhance Lebanon’s security and sovereignty.”
The international community calls for Lebanon to reforms that include the formation of an uncomfortable government to any external influence, the inventory of weapons in the hands of the state, and the treatment of the acute economic crisis that has been ravaging Lebanon for years, including inflation and the stability of the currency price.
In addition to reforming the judicial system to become more independent and intended, implementing reforms in vital sectors such as electricity, water and communications, fighting corruption, and enhancing transparency in government institutions.
Bin Farhan indicated that he stressed during the meeting with President Aoun, “the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement and implementing Resolution 1701.”
Resolution 1701 of August 11, 2006 calls for a complete endowment of combat operations between Lebanon and Israel, at the time, and the establishment of an area free of weapons and militants between the blue line (determined by the Israeli withdrawal lines from Lebanon in 2000) and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with the exception of the forces of the Lebanese army The United Nations Temporary power (UNIFIL).
Bin Farhan’s statement, in this regard, comes in conjunction with leaks for an official Hebrew media about the intention of the Israeli army not to withdraw from the towns he occupied in southern Lebanon with his last war during the deadline specified in the ceasefire agreement that ends within less than 60 hours.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, 2024 stipulated the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon no later than 60 days from the agreement to enter into force that corresponds to the dawn of next Sunday.
For his part, Aoun, during the meeting of Bin Farhan, thanked Saudi Arabia for “its efforts in helping Lebanon, especially in terms of ending the presidential void.”
He considered that Bin Farhan’s visit to Lebanon is a “message of hope”, hoping that “bilateral relations between the two countries are strengthened and strength is increasing in all fields.”
He also expressed his hope that “the Saudi brothers will return to Lebanon again.”
For years, the Saudi authorities have not allowed their citizens to travel to Lebanon except under a prior statement, against the backdrop of security and political tensions witnessed in the last country.
Aoun pointed out that the letter of the section that he made defined the priorities of the next stage after the formation of the government, including “reconstruction (for the areas affected by the Israeli war), addressing the economic situation, and supporting the army and security institutions.”
Earlier on Thursday evening, Bin Farhan began a visit to Lebanon, which is the first of its kind in 15 years.
** Berry meeting
The Saudi minister started his visit, which lasts for hours, by meeting President Aoun at Baabda Presidential Palace, before he later met at the parliament headquarters in the Ain Al -Tineh area, west of Beirut, its president, Nabih Berri.
During the meeting with Berri, “the situation in Lebanon, the region, the political developments and bilateral relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia were reviewed, according to the Lebanese News Agency.
** Mikati meeting
After that, Bin Farhan, Prime Minister of Business Government, Naguib Mikati, met in the government companies in central Beirut.
During the meeting, Mikati wished, “The visit of Minister Bin Farhan will be a opening for the return of all Saudi brothers to Lebanon.”
He said: “With the beginning of the era of President Joseph Aoun, and the mandate of Nawaf Salam, to form the new government, we are looking forward to the hope of embracing the Kingdom of Lebanon and its support in all fields in the stage of advancement and recovery.”
Mikati added: “The strong brotherly relationship that brings together Lebanon and sisterly Saudi Arabia has increased the years in depth and firmness and the kingdom has always been alongside Lebanon, the bond and the support in the calamities, and the safety valve that preserved the unity of the Lebanese, to any sect, doctrine, or political team that they belong.”
** Peace meeting
Then Bin Farhan met the Prime Minister in charge of Nawaf Salam, in the latter’s circuit in the Quraitim area in Beirut.
According to the Lebanese Agency, the meeting was an occasion during which the Saudi minister presented to Salam, congratulating him on his assignment, and stressed “the Kingdom’s standing beside Lebanon”, wishing “the Lebanese to prevail in the supreme interest on narrow interests and walk in the necessary reforms.”
For his part, Salam welcomed Minister Bin Farhan, stressing “the significance of this visit 15 years after the last visit of a Saudi foreign minister to Lebanon.”
Salam stressed that “there is an exceptional opportunity for Lebanon (to re -advance and prosper as before) that should not be missed, and that he works in full cooperation with President Aoun on that.”
Bin Farhan’s visit is received, especially in the Lebanese media and political circles, as it may be the beginning of a new era of relations between the two countries under the new Lebanese leadership.
Aoun and Salam took over their positions in January, which represents the beginning of a new stage in a country that has been in a financial crisis since 2019 and is now facing billions of dollars in reconstruction.
Years ago, the Saudi -Lebanese relations went through tensions due to what the Kingdom said was “Lebanese positions against it” on regional and international platforms, especially from Hezbollah, after the attack on its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in early 2016.
While President Aoun pledged, after his election on January 9, to “establish the best relations with sisterly Arab countries, and build strategic partnerships with the countries of the East and the Arabian Gulf.”
He announced at the time that Saudi Arabia will form its first external destination, “believing in its historical role in supporting Lebanon and solidarity with it, and an affirmation of the depth of Lebanon as a basis for Lebanon’s relations with its regional environment.”
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