Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Boukhari (L) talking with the Republic's mufti, Sheikh Abdel Latif Deriane, on October 26, 2021. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Boukhari said Friday that "brotherly and friendly countries are waiting for Lebanon," which has been without a president for more than eight months.
"The Lebanese are one big family, Muslim, and Christian, in their living together and their protection of the Taif Agreement, its sacralization, and the full application of its articles," Boukhari said, following a meeting with the Mufti of the Republic Abdellatif Deriane.
Quoted by the local news agency al-Markazia, he added that "the only alternative to this [Taif] agreement is the unknown. This calls for wisdom, awareness, and solidarity, in order to agree on the direction that the Lebanese compass should point, which brotherly and friendly countries are waiting for."
The Taif Agreement, signed by Lebanese deputies to end to the civil war, was concluded in 1989 under the aegis of Saudi Arabia.
This document of national understanding established the presence of the Syrian army on Lebanese territory and reduced the prerogatives of the Maronite president in favor of the united government, headed by the Sunni prime minister.
"Saudi Arabia is attached to Lebanon and its people, just as it is to the Saudi kingdom and people, who love and respect the Lebanese, to whom they are linked by historical and fraternal relations," Bukhari stressed.
He also recalled "the preponderant role of the Committee of Five in finding common ground to help the Lebanese and find effective means and solutions to elect a President of the Republic."
At its last meeting in Doha, the Group of Five — the United States, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — urged the Lebanese parliament to finally elect a president, and political leaders to "take immediate steps to break the deadlock."
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French President Emmanuel Macron's special envoy, is due to visit Lebanon again shortly.