BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have “laid the solid foundations for a new phase of relations” with the Kingdom.
The two countries agreed to develop cooperation across all sectors, Aoun said after Monday’s landmark meeting — the first official Lebanese visit to the Kingdom in eight years.
Before leaving Saudi Arabia for Cairo on Tuesday, Aoun sent a telegram to the crown prince, conveying “the Lebanese people’s deep appreciation for King Salman’s historic stances toward Lebanon and its people.”
Extensive discussions between the crown prince and Aoun were held on Monday evening at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The meeting was attended by, on the Saudi side, Minister of State and Cabinet member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd; Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz; Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal; Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif; National Guard Minister Prince Abdullah bin Bandar; Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman; Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; National Security Adviser Musaid Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi; Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Al-Bukhari; and adviser to the foreign minister on Lebanese Affairs Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan.
On the Lebanese side, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Youssef Raji and Lebanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Fawzi Kabbara, among others
The talks “fell within the framework of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries and paving the way for the signing of several agreements in various fields,” a statement said.
Aoun and the crown prince held a 45-minute private meeting, “during which they continued discussions on issues of mutual interest to both countries and their brotherly peoples.”
In a joint statement issued after the talks, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon “emphasized the importance of strengthening Arab cooperation and coordinating positions on key regional and international issues.”
The Saudi Press Agency said that both sides highlighted “the importance of the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, the implementation of relevant international resolutions and the extension of the Lebanese state’s sovereignty over all its territory, as well as the exclusive possession of arms by the Lebanese state, the national role of the Lebanese army and the importance of supporting it and the need for the Israeli occupation’s army to withdraw from all Lebanese territory.”
The two sides agreed on working to ease restrictions on trade and travel.
They also highlighted the importance of implementing the principles laid out by Aoun in his inaugural speech.
Aoun and the crown prince agreed on “the urgent need for Lebanon’s economic recovery and to address the crisis” and that Lebanon must “begin the internationally demanded reform, based on the principles of transparency and the enforcement of binding laws.”
The Lebanese leader invited the crown prince to visit his country, a gesture that was met with “appreciation and a warm reception” from the Saudi leader, the statement said.
A source familiar with the Riyadh talks told Arab News: “There was a shared understanding of the necessity for reforms in Lebanon to enable the needed support.
“The resumption of exports from Lebanon to the Kingdom requires a thorough review, which may take up to three months.”
The source added: “Everything is on track, and the outcomes of the visit were excellent. This is what truly matters.”
Rabih El-Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, said: “This visit stands out as exceptional. Lebanon has a remarkable opportunity to reshape its relations with Arab nations, with Saudi Arabia as the essential gateway.”
He added: “We expect the resumption of Saudi tourism and investment in Lebanon. However, this requires a stable environment, with a strong state capable of ensuring security, an independent and impartial judiciary to protect investments, and the revitalization of the banking sector in Lebanon to restore international market confidence.”
Aoun left Riyadh on Tuesday morning to attend an Arab League summit on Gaza in Cairo, where he also held several meetings with Arab and UN officials.
He met UN chief Antonio Guterres along with several officials from international organizations in the Egyptian capital.
Aoun said: “The presence of Israelis on several Lebanese hills, coupled with the absence of the Lebanese army in those areas, could hinder the achievement of stability and the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement."
A Lebanese statement said that Guterres expressed his “astonishment at the continued presence of Israeli forces in several areas of southern Lebanon, considering that this situation does not contribute to stability in the region.”
Aoun also discussed the issue of returning Syrian refugees in Lebanon to their homeland with the UN chief.
In a statement, Guterres said: “Lebanon is committed to an effective reform policy aimed at revitalizing its economy and society, and it is essential to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon, with no foreign forces remaining on its territory except for UNIFIL.”
Aoun met Yemeni leader Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi and emphasized the importance of “solidarity among Arab nations and the necessity for a unified Arab entity.”
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid told Aoun that his country “places great importance on the situation in Lebanon and looks forward to continuing cooperation.”
In response, Aoun highlighted energy cooperation with Iraq, and called for a strengthening of ties in the field.
Separately, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji discussed Lebanese-Syrian relations with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani.
Meanwhile, Israel ramped up its violations of Lebanese sovereignty, striking a car in the Tyre district with a drone, killing the driver.
Israel claimed that the target was a “key figure” in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the death of a citizen without disclosing his name, while media reports from the south named the deceased as Khadr Hashim.
