Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Boukhari, visited North Lebanon on Tuesday, meeting with several religious leaders, according to regional correspondent Michel Hallak.
Ambassador Boukhari was received by the mufti of Tripoli and North Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammad Imam. Boukhari expressed satisfaction with "the completion of the presidential election and parliamentary consultations, which significantly strengthen unity among the Lebanese and guide the country toward economic recovery," a statement from the mufti's office said. The ambassador also emphasized the importance of "launching reforms and restoring the trust of the Arab and international communities," while reaffirming Saudi Arabia's "steadfast support for Lebanon and its people."
Mufti Imam, in turn, thanked Saudi Arabia for its role and efforts within the Quintet group. General Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese army, was elected president last week with backing from the five countries addressing Lebanon's presidential crisis: the United States, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Ambassador Boukhari also visited the headquarters of the Alawite Islamic Council in Jabal Mohsen, a suburb of Tripoli. He was welcomed by the council's president, Sheikh Ali Kaddour, who praised "Saudi Arabia's vital role in supporting Arab peoples in general and Lebanon in particular," according to a statement from the council.
Saudi Arabia, a key regional power, had taken a more limited role in Lebanon in recent years as Iran's influence in the country grew. However, Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran, has been significantly weakened by the recent war with Israel and the December fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, another strategic ally of the Shiite party.
Following Joseph Aoun's election as president, Nawaf Salam was named on Monday to form a new government. Salam is set to meet with parliamentary blocs on Wednesday and Thursday for non-binding consultations.
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