The President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, during an interview on Kuwaiti television. Photo taken from the Presidency's X account.
BEIRUT — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Saturday that Lebanon "has returned to the Arabs, and we want the Arabs to return to us," as he emphasized efforts to restore trust with Gulf nations — a key priority since his election. His remarks came during a televised interview ahead of his departure for Kuwait.
The United Arab Emirates lifted its travel ban to Lebanon on May 7, signaling a thaw in ties after years of strained relations with several Gulf states.
In recent years, Gulf nations have repeatedly downgraded or severed diplomatic and trade ties with Lebanon. A major crisis erupted in 2021 following comments by then-Information Minister Georges Cordahi, who criticized Saudi Arabia and the UAE over their involvement in Yemen’s war against the Houthi rebels.
Saudi Arabia later cited Hezbollah and Iran's influence over the Lebanese government as a source of tension. Months earlier, Riyadh had suspended trade with Lebanon after Saudi authorities seized a shipment of Captagon amphetamines hidden in pomegranates from Lebanon.
The political landscape has since shifted. Aoun’s election and the formation of a new Cabinet under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have helped reset ties. Aoun and Salam were received with honors in Saudi Arabia, and the president has also visited Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Kuwaiti television, Aoun expressed hope for stronger diplomatic cooperation with Kuwait, deeper economic and development ties, and renewed interest from Kuwaiti investors and tourists. He highlighted “positive historical relations” between the two countries and said Lebanon’s recent crises are now behind it.
Rebuilding bridges with the Gulf
Aoun noted that Kuwait, which currently holds the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council, could play a key role in mending regional ties.
“We went through a period of tension, and we are now reaching out to rebuild bridges of trust,” Aoun said. “Lebanon has returned to the Arabs, and we hope the Arabs will return to Lebanon.”
He said Lebanon’s recovery priorities include energy, port and airport infrastructure, and electricity. He called for investment in long-delayed development projects, saying Lebanon “does not need donations, but investments.”
“I have full confidence in our ability to reach an agreement with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah on his country’s participation in several key projects,” he said.
On the domestic front, Aoun reaffirmed the state’s commitment to monopolize arms, though he acknowledged implementation “remains to be realized.” He also said dialogue is essential, including with the Palestinian Authority, and that Lebanon seeks to avoid further conflict.
His comments come ahead of a May 21 visit to Beirut by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected to discuss the extension of Lebanese government authority over Palestinian refugee camps that operate outside state control.
Aoun said the primary purpose of his visit to Kuwait is to express gratitude for its ongoing support of Lebanon, both politically and through development assistance. He also praised the Lebanese expatriate community in Kuwait — the second-largest in the Arab world — whose roots in the country go back to the 1920s.
“They are now fully integrated and active in Kuwaiti society,” he said.
