Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun will request the activation of a $3-billion military aid package from Saudi Arabia during his visit next week. This aid was previously suspended due to Lebanon’s failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions. Aoun aims to restore strong ties with Saudi Arabia amid changing regional dynamics and emphasizes the need for financial reforms to secure foreign support for Lebanon’s reconstruction.
In a significant move, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun is set to visit Saudi Arabia next week, during which he will request the revival of a $3-billion aid package originally designated for the Lebanese army. In an interview with Asharq television, Aoun expressed his intention to engage with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding potential reactivation of the grant, which was suspended in 2016 after Lebanon did not denounce attacks on Saudi diplomatic facilities in Iran.
Previously, Saudi Arabia had invested heavily in Lebanon, providing substantial financial support and assisting in reconstruction efforts post the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel conflict. However, with Hezbollah’s increasing power and influence, supported by Iran, Saudi interests in Lebanon became complicated, especially following Israel’s military actions against Iranian-backed forces and the political upheavals within Syria.
Aoun articulated his hopes for repairing Lebanon’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, stating, “I hope and I await from Saudi Arabia – and especially the Crown Prince – to correct the relationship in the interests of both countries.” He emphasized the necessity of strengthening economic and political ties between the two nations following a tumultuous period.
Lebanon is currently faced with substantial reconstruction costs after enduring a year of Israeli attacks. Aoun underscored that international assistance, especially from Gulf nations, is contingent upon Lebanon implementing critical financial reforms, which he confirmed his government’s commitment to pursue. He expressed optimism that reconstruction aid could be progressively offered to facilitate the return of Lebanese citizens displaced from their villages in the south.
In summary, President Joseph Aoun’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia aims to pursue the reactivation of a halted $3-billion military aid package for Lebanon. The visit symbolizes a strategic effort to mend the relationship between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for economic reform to secure foreign support in reconstruction efforts. Aoun’s intentions reflect a broader hope for strengthened alliances and stability in the region as Lebanon navigates its political and economic challenges.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
