Lebanese President landed in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip since coming into office, a major move seen by Lebanon’s attempts to improve relations with Gulf friends despite continued economic and political problems.
On his visit, the president will have top-level talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with a focus on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional stability. In a pre-summit statement, he voiced “great hope” for productive talks aimed at boosting ties and gaining Saudi backing for Lebanon’s ailing economy.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a central player in Lebanon’s economic assistance and political brokerage, but ties have frayed in recent years as a result of tensions at the regional geopolitical level and fears about Hezbollah’s role. The visit is interpreted as an attempt to reinitiate diplomatic relations and spur renewed Gulf investment in Lebanon’s infrastructure and financial markets.
Analysts say the result of this summit may have profound implications for Lebanon’s economic revival, as well as regional cooperation between Riyadh and Beirut in tackling Middle East security issues.
