Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is visiting Saudi Arabia to seek support for his nation’s financial crisis and to revive bilateral relations. This visit, his first abroad since his election in January, aims to address economic issues and regional security concerns, especially regarding Israel. Discussions will also include reconstruction efforts and economic cooperation, in context of improving Saudi-Lebanese relations that have deteriorated in recent years.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday, marking his first foreign trip since being elected on January 9. During this visit, he aims to seek support for Lebanon, which has been grappling with a severe financial crisis intensified by the aftermath of last year’s conflict with Israel. The discussions will focus on revitalizing bilateral relations and addressing Lebanon’s economic and regional security issues, especially concerning Israel’s occupation of southern border areas.
This visit comes at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and demonstrates a commitment to strengthen ties with a nation that has historically supported Lebanon. President Aoun emphasized that Saudi Arabia would be his initial foreign destination, highlighting Beirut’s dedication to Arab unity. Following this engagement in Riyadh, President Aoun will also attend an Arab Summit in Egypt, furthering discussions on regional cooperation.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been fundamental to Lebanon’s political landscape, particularly playing a significant role in mediating the 1989 Taif Agreement that concluded Lebanon’s civil war. Despite this, relations soured in the past decade, primarily due to Hezbollah’s increased influence in Lebanon, which has raised security concerns for Saudi Arabia. The situation deteriorated significantly in late 2021, when controversial comments by a Lebanese minister caused a diplomatic freeze and economic restrictions on Lebanon from Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon is hopeful that the new administration will lead to an end of these restrictions, thereby alleviating the ongoing economic challenges. Recently, Saudi Arabia has shown renewed interest in Lebanon, participating in discussions within the Quintet Committee alongside Qatar, the United States, France, and Egypt. This engagement is seen as an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to take a more proactive role in shaping Lebanon’s future, particularly as Hezbollah’s significance diminishes in light of recent conflicts and developments in Syria.
Discussions between President Aoun and Crown Prince Salman are expected to focus on preventing Lebanon from becoming a battleground for regional conflicts and on topics related to economic recovery, particularly under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s leadership. Salam has pledged to undertake vital reforms aimed at rebuilding Lebanon’s economy, which has suffered a drastic downturn since 2019, with staggering depreciation of the currency and widespread financial turmoil.
Significant efforts are underway to forge new economic agreements between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, with 22 agreements already drafted, spanning various sectors including trade, agriculture, education, and defense. The Director General of Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade, Mohammad Abu Haidar, has confirmed that these agreements are in the concluding stages, aiming to enhance trade relations that were traditionally strong prior to the political fallout.
Reopening trade with Saudi Arabia is pivotal for Lebanon’s economic revival, potentially injecting foreign currency, restoring public and private sector confidence, and creating job opportunities. The recent visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud to Beirut, the highest-level visit in years, indicates a possible realignment in Saudi-Lebanese relations, fostering expectations of a renewed partnership moving forward.
President Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks a significant step in revitalizing Lebanon’s bilateral relations with a historically supportive neighbor. By seeking economic assistance and cooperation, Lebanon hopes to move past recent diplomatic tensions and rebuild its economy. Positive outcomes from these discussions may lead to critical investments and trade opportunities that are essential for Lebanon’s recovery from its ongoing crisis. The development of new economic agreements, alongside efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence, will be key to stabilizing Lebanon. This visit signals a renewed commitment to collaboration between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, with the potential to reshape the future of Lebanese prosperity.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
