
This handout photo released by the Lebanese Government Press Office shows Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R) gesturing to Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan before their meeting in Beirut on Jan. 23, 2025. (Credit: Lebanese Government Press Office via AFP)
BEIRUT — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Beirut on Thursday, marking the first visit of this kind to Lebanon in 15 years. Farhan visited the presidential palace in Baabda and declared that Saudi Arabia "stands by Lebanon," expressing "confidence" in Lebanon's new leaders and their ability to implement "the necessary reforms."
Speaking to the press, Farhan specifically named President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam — newly elected and appointed (respectively) to their positions earlier this month — saying Saudia Arabia is confident they will enact "the necessary reforms to strengthen Lebanon's security, stability, and unity."
These reforms are a prerequisite for unlocking aid from the Gulf State that Lebanon relies on to rebuild the country, devastated by a profound economic crises and a two-month-long massive bombing campaign by Israel during its war with Hezbollah.
Farhan reiterated the importance of Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for only UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army to carry arms south of the Litani River. The truce, which came into effect on Nov. 27, is due to conclude on Jan. 26, although Israel is expected to ask for an extension to allow for further troop movements and ongoing occupation in the South.
Optimism and hope
"Despite the challenges in the region, we look at Lebanon’s future with optimism, as implementing these reforms would boost Lebanon's partners' confidence and pave the way for restoring its natural place in its Arab environment," Farhan told reporters during the Baabda Palace press conference.
During his own address, Aoun described Farhan's visit as "a message of hope." Saudi Arabia is a member of "The Quintet," five countries including the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and France that were active during the two-year presidential vacuum in trying to create a consensus among Lebanese lawmakers to facilitate a successful election. Aoun is seen to have been the favored candidate of both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan received by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Baabda, on Jan. 23, 2025. (Credit: NNA)
"We thank the Kingdom for its efforts in supporting Lebanon, notably for ending the presidential vacuum," Aoun said. "We hope that bilateral relations will strengthen and diversify in all areas, and that Saudi brothers will return to Lebanon."
"The inauguration speech was written to be implemented," Aoun continued. "It reflects the will of the Lebanese people. The priorities of the next phase are reconstruction, managing the economic situation, as well as supporting the army and security institutions."
Upon taking the oath on Jan. 9, Aoun promised to open "a new era," where the state would have "the monopoly of weapons," in a country where Hezbollah is the only group to have retained its weapons after the end of the Civil War (1975-1990). He had also promised to adopt a "policy of positive neutrality" and to forge "the best relations with brotherly Arab countries."
'A pillar that has preserved the unity of the Lebanese'
The Saudi diplomat arrived Thursday afternoon at Beirut International Airport, where he was welcomed by outgoing Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Saudi ambassador Walid Boukhari. He went first to Baabda to meet Aoun and then to Ain al-Tineh, where he met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

Farhan was next at the Grand Serail, where he met with outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who said that with the new leaders in position, "we look forward with hope to the resumption of Saudi support for Lebanon." Mikati described the relationship between the two countries as "brotherly and solid," describing Saudi Arabia as a "pillar that has preserved the unity of the Lebanese."
Next on Farhan's agenda was a meeting with Salam at his residence in Koreitem. With Salam, Farhan expressed hope that Lebanon "prioritize national interest above partisan interests and pursue the necessary reforms," while Salam stressed that "there is an exceptional opportunity for Lebanon that should not be missed" and assured full collaboration with Aoun for this cause.
Salam stated his commitment to "undertake the necessary political, judicial, administrative, and financial reforms," while promising to "bring Lebanon back to its natural Arab environment to regain its role alongside its Arab brothers."
Farhan is expected to continue his diplomatic tour in Syria on Friday.
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) leans in to listen to Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan before their meeting in Beirut on Jan. 23, 2025. (Credit: Fadel Itani/AFP)
Before arriving in Lebanon, Farhan was at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he emphasized that Saudi Arabia will need to see "concrete actions and reforms" in order for its commitment to Lebanon to be "strengthened," and that the ongoing discussions in Lebanon "allow for optimism."
Saudi Arabia has historically been a major investor in Lebanon, but ties between the two countries deteriorated over the past decade as Hezbollah's influence in the country grew. In 2016, Saudi Arabia canceled its $3 billion aid to the Lebanese Army, citing what it saw as the Lebanese government's lack of control over the country's affairs.
In November 2017, then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri went missing while on a visit Riyadh, resurfacing some hours later when he appeared on Saudi television and delivered a surprising resignation, accusing Hezbollah and Iran of "domination" over his country. Saudi Arabia was accused by Lebanese authorities of detaining Hariri against his will and forcing him to quit, though it has denied these accusations.
In 2021, Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, recalled their ambassadors from Beirut after a Lebanese minister criticized Saudi military intervention in Yemen. By summer 2022, the Saudi-led coalition, partly funded by the U.S., had killed at least 24,000 people in airstrikes against the country that were described by human rights groups as war crimes.
Riyadh also suspended fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon in April 2021, claiming shipments were being used as a cover for drug trafficking and accusing Beirut of inaction. A year later, Riyadh announced the return of its ambassador to Beirut.
Recently, Saudi's antagonistic relationship with Iran, Hezbollah's main backer, has shown signs of thawing and Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by its recent war with Israel, during which much of its senior leadership was assassinated and its base suffered widespread destruction. The toppling of its ally, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, shortly after the cease-fire was announced in Lebanon, also further weakened the group.