Saudi Arabia is optimistic about reforms in Lebanon, Saudi FM says in Beirut Reuters

DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia will continue to support Lebanon and is optimistic about the country’s future after a ceasefire agreement ended fighting between Israel and the militant Iran-Hezbollah group, the kingdom’s foreign minister said from Beirut.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told reporters that during his talks with newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Riyadh’s top diplomat made his first trip to Beirut in 15 years, stressing the importance of reform.

Prince Faisal said, “I told him that we believe in the importance of the reforms he proposed to help Lebanon overcome its crisis.”

The visit reflects a seismic political shift in Lebanon since Israel beat Hezbollah to war last year and Hezbollah’s Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels in December.

“The government is optimistic about Lebanon’s future with the reformist approach that came from the president’s speech after his inauguration.”

“These reforms increase the confidence of Lebanon’s partners and are an opening for the country to regain its rightful place in the Arab and international spheres,” he said.

Aoun said he would work to ensure the state’s exclusive right to bear arms, comments that were seen in part as Hezbollah’s weapons arsenal, and better relations with Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia once spent billions in Lebanon and deposited funds in the central bank to help rebuild the south after a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.