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Saudi Arabia wants to see 'actions and reforms' before strengthening its commitment to Lebanon


Saudi Arabia wants to see 'actions and reforms' before strengthening its commitment to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. AFP archive photo.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faysal ben Farhane stated on Tuesday that his country wishes to see "concrete actions and reforms" to strengthen its commitment to Lebanon.

"The ongoing discussions in Lebanon are cause for optimism," said the Saudi Minister. "Concrete actions and reforms are necessary to strengthen our commitment." He also noted that "the election of a Lebanese president after a long vacancy of power is extremely positive."

Speaking during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, he announced that he will be visiting Lebanon this week. Ben Farhane is expected in Beirut on Thursday for a 24-hour visit, during which he plans to meet with President Joseph Aoun, to whom he will deliver an official invitation to visit Saudi Arabia.

According to our information, the Saudi minister will announce the opening of a new phase in relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon and the end of the cold period between the two countries in light of the rise of Hezbollah. The party emerged weakened from its military confrontation with Israel and the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which facilitated the election of a president in Lebanon on Jan. 9 after more than two years of deadlock.

Regarding Syria, Ben Farhan stated in Davos that "more needs to be done regarding the easing of sanctions." He assured observing "a strong will from the administration in Damascus to engage in a receptive and open manner with the international community to move in the right direction." He expressed being "cautiously optimistic about Syria," highlighting that 'the administration says the right things both privately and publicly."

Already on Sunday, following a meeting in Riyadh of European and Middle Eastern foreign ministers on Syria, Saudi Arabia had called for lifting sanctions imposed on Syria. Western powers, including the United States and the European Union, imposed sanctions on Bashar al-Assad's government after the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011, which led to a civil war that claimed more than half a million lives and displaced millions of Syrians. Many capitals, including Washington, have stated they want to wait to judge the actions of the new authorities dominated by the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, before easing sanctions.

Finally, the Saudi foreign minister addressed regional tensions, asserting that a war between Iran and Israel must be avoided. He added that he does not see the new American administration as a factor increasing the risk of war.

Iran fears that tensions with Washington may intensify, as the new administration includes pro-Israeli and anti-Iranian hawks. There is concern that Donald Trump may empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iranian nuclear sites while tightening sanctions on the country's oil industry through his "maximum pressure" policy.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faysal ben Farhane stated on Tuesday that his country wishes to see "concrete actions and reforms" to strengthen its commitment to Lebanon."The ongoing discussions in Lebanon are cause for optimism," said the Saudi Minister. "Concrete actions and reforms are necessary to strengthen our commitment." He also noted that "the election of a...