Lebanese President Aoun Meets Saudi Crown Prince to Strengthen Ties

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia, meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two nations. Aoun hopes to revive military aid and economic ties, establishing a foundation for stronger bilateral relations while addressing Hezbollah’s political influence.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun embarked on his inaugural international visit since assuming office, meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. This meeting, reported by Saudi state media, comes after Aoun’s election on January 9, which concluded a prolonged power vacuum in Lebanon during a severe political and economic crisis. Aoun, previously the army’s chief, is viewed as an ally of both Riyadh and Washington amid Lebanon’s delicate geopolitical landscape.

The discussions were anticipated to explore strengthening ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, which have been strained due to Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanese politics. Aoun expressed positive expectations prior to the meeting, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two nations. He stated his hope that the dialogue would facilitate a future visit aimed at signing agreements to enhance bilateral relations.

Prior to the meeting, Aoun articulated to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat his intent to invigorate military aid from Riyadh, which had been previously suspended in 2016 due to the political situation in Lebanon. Aoun underscored the historical connection between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, indicating that his initial foreign visit underscored his commitment to rebuilding these ties. He also expressed a desire to align Lebanon with Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” to foster economic collaboration.

Aoun reaffirmed his commitment to a policy aimed at establishing a “monopoly on weapons” by the state, in contrast to Hezbollah, which remains the only armed faction in the country post-civil war. His administration has pledged to maintain a stance of positive neutrality while fostering robust relations with fellow Arab nations. Additionally, Aoun has received an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to participate in an urgent Arab summit concerning Gaza, highlighting his emerging regional engagements.

The meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marks a significant step towards re-establishing relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Aoun aims to enhance military and economic cooperation while addressing the political challenges posed by Hezbollah’s influence. This visit symbolizes Aoun’s commitment to fostering a positive diplomatic agenda and signifies a potential turning point in Lebanon’s international relations.

Original Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae