Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat has visited Lebanon for the first time in a decade following years of strained relations between the oil-rich kingdom and the tiny Mediterranean country.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister visits Lebanon on Thursday in the first trip to Beirut by Riyadh's top diplomat in 15 years, seeking a commitment to reform as the Gulf state reasserts sway in a country where Iranian influence is waning.
Saudi Arabia will continue supporting Lebanon and is optimistic about the country's future after a ceasefire brought an end to a war between Israel and the militant Iran-aligned Hezbollah group, the kingdom's foreign minister said from Beirut.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Thursday that the oil-rich kingdom stands by Lebanon, but stressed that the war-ravaged, crisis-ridden country needs to adopt necessary reforms.
Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, on his country's first high-level visit to Beirut after years of strained ties, said Thursday that he believed crisis-hit Lebanon's new leaders could spearhead long-sought reforms.
Foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan became the most senior Saudi Arabian official to visit Beirut in more than a decade on Thursday, marking the kingdom’s attempt to rebuild relations with Lebanon after the country elected a new president.
Then, a Saudi delegation headed by the kingdom’s envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, flew into Beirut for the second time in a week. It held a blitz of meetings with various political parties. By the time they left, there was only one candidate left: the US-backed Aoun.
Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat, on his country’s first high-level visit to Beirut after years of strained ties, said on Thursday he believed crisis-hit Lebanon’s new leaders can spearhead long-sought reforms.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan affirmed on Thursday his country’s continued support for Lebanon during his first visit to the Arab country in 15 years. Addressing a joint press conference in Beirut with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, bin Farhan expressed confidence in the new leadership's ability to initiate reforms.
Saudi Arabia's top diplomat landed in Beirut on Thursday to meet the country's new leadership in the first visit by a high-ranking official from the kingdom after more than a decade of strained ties.
The visit marks the first time in 15 years that Riyadh's top diplomat has traveled to Lebanon. Prince Faisal, speaking to reporters after a meeting with Lebanon's newly elected President Joseph Aoun, emphasized the importance of reforms to help Lebanon overcome its crises.
Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Lebanon for the first time in a decade, following strained relations between the two co