Saudi Crown Prince Affirms Kingdom’s Support for Lebanon in Call with President Aoun
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have explored regional peace efforts and the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Big Picture: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Aoun, during which the two leaders discussed the recent developments in Lebanon and the wider region. They also reviewed efforts to reinforce regional security and peace.
Saudi Support for Lebanon
The Context: Aoun hailed Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Lebanon and the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve regional stability and peace. According to the Lebanese Presidency, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon and Aoun’s decisions to preserve the country’s unity and sovereignty.
The Saudi Crown Prince also reiterated the Kingdom’s readiness to provide assistance in all areas needed by Lebanon, within the priorities set by the Lebanese government, extending an invitation to Aoun to visit Saudi Arabia.
Why It Matters: The Kingdom has been a strong advocate for Lebanon’s security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Aoun visited Riyadh in March 2025, in his first official overseas trip since becoming President earlier that year. He praised Saudi Arabia’s vital role in supporting various sectors in Lebanon through providing assistance and hosting Lebanese expatriates.
The Pivot: In June 2026, the Saudi Crown Prince directed the resumption of Lebanese imports to the Kingdom, following a five-year ban, upon a request from Lebanon’s Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, offering a vital trade pipeline for Lebanon’s struggling agricultural and commercial sectors, further strained by the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Lebanon-Israel Peace Talks
Between the Lines: Aoun is currently in Washington an official visit, which includes a scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. It comes in light of the ongoing US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel to end the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and reach a peace agreement.
The Lebanese President met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday to discuss the implementation of the Trilateral Framework signed between the US, Lebanon, and Israel in late June.
What He Said: Rubio commended Aoun for his “determined effort to reclaim Lebanon’s sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, and move towards peace,” underscoring the US commitment to supporting Lebanon’s efforts to deliver peace, economic recovery, and a better future for the Lebanese people.
Backstory: Lebanon was drawn into the US-Israeli war with Iran in early March following Hezbollah’s decision to retaliate for the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by sending barrages of missiles and drones towards Israel, which responded by launching heavy airstrikes and ground operations into southern Lebanon, seizing control of large swaths of the country.
