Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Saudi Arabia for his first official trip, aiming to revitalize relations after years of Saudi disengagement due to Hezbollah’s influence. He plans to request the reinstatement of a halted $3 billion military aid package and emphasizes the importance of cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The visit signifies Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen ties with Arab countries amidst shifting regional dynamics.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun embarked on his inaugural official visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, marking a significant step towards renewing relations between Beirut and Riyadh after years of diminished engagement. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, President Aoun highlighted the importance of this visit in strengthening Lebanese-Saudi ties and expressed gratitude towards Saudi Arabia for its support in ensuring Lebanon’s stability and the proper functioning of its constitutional institutions.
In his remarks, President Aoun expressed optimism regarding upcoming discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which he believes will facilitate future agreements to bolster cooperation between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. The visit comes at a time when Saudi Arabia had previously distanced itself from Lebanon, primarily due to Hezbollah’s influence within the Lebanese political landscape and its ties to Iran.
Mr. Aoun’s agenda includes requesting the restoration of a $3 billion military aid package from Saudi Arabia, initially halted in 2016 following Lebanon’s failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. With changes in regional dynamics, such as Hezbollah’s diminished influence post-Israel conflict, the Lebanese government hopes to renegotiate military support to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese army.
The election of Joseph Aoun as president was significantly supported by Saudi Arabia to end a prolonged political stalemate in Lebanon. This led to the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, which reflects a shift in Lebanon’s stance towards Hezbollah by omitting any reference to “armed resistance” from the ministerial statement, thus aiming to reassert state control over defense matters and ensuring Lebanon is not utilized for attacks against Arab states.
Furthermore, the policy statement explicitly declares that Lebanon will not serve as a base for aggression against Arab allies. This reorientation comes amid accusations against Hezbollah for undermining Gulf states’ security and supporting militias that align with Iranian interests, further complicating the regional security situation.
President Joseph Aoun’s official visit to Saudi Arabia is a pivotal moment for restoring Lebanese-Saudi relations following years of estrangement. By seeking to reinstate military aid and signaling a strategic pivot in Lebanon’s policies regarding Hezbollah, this visit aims to enhance regional cooperation and stabilize Lebanon’s security. The evolving dynamics in the region present an opportunity for Lebanon to reaffirm its sovereignty and navigate its relationships with Arab allies more effectively.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
