The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Thursday arrived in Beirut, in the first visit by a high-ranking Saudi official to Lebanon in 15 years, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Prince Faisal landed in Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, where he was warmly received by the Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Bou Habib, and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari.
The Saudi Foreign Minister met with the newly-elected President, Joseph Aoun, at Baabda Presidential Palace. During their meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. Prince Faisal stressed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for Lebanon and the Lebanese people.
Prior to the visit, announced at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Prince Faisal expressed optimism about Aoun’s election, saying it was “extremely positive” after a prolonged political vacuum.
Moreover, the Saudi Foreign Minister reiterated the need for implementing real reforms and adopting a forward-looking approach to ensure Lebanon’s sustainable progress. He also emphasized that the future of Lebanon is in the hands of its people, calling on them to make decisions that would steer the country toward stability and growth.
“We need to see real action, real reform, and a commitment to a Lebanon that looks to the future, not the past. Saudi Arabia’s approach to Lebanon would depend on tangible progress and constructive dialogue,” Prince Faisal said.Earlier this month, Lebanon elected the army commander, Joseph Aoun, as president after the country’s parliament voted for him, ending a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.
Aoun’s election came shortly after a ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel, which ended the 14-month fighting between both sides.