A flag of Saudi Arabia. (Credit: AFP)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun extended his congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the kingdom's 95th National Day, which marks the country's founding, saying that "Lebanon is keen to strengthen its bilateral relations for the good of both brotherly peoples."
Other notable figures such as Lebanon's Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian, praised Saudi Arabia's "pioneering" role in the region. Relations between Lebanon and some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been slowly but surely warming after years of diplomatic tensions, particularly resulting from Hezbollah's role in the country.
Aoun sent his greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, wishing "the kingdom and the Saudi people lasting security and stability, as well as prosperity and progress." "I take this opportunity to express my pride in the ties of fraternity and cooperation that unite our two countries, as well as my constant commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations for the good of our two brotherly peoples," he said in a statement.
For his part, Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari affirmed that "Saudi Arabia stands at the forefront of international positions in favor of Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity." He added that "the kingdom renews its support for President Joseph Aoun, as well as for the Prime Minister's reformist vision," while praising "the role of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry in bringing together different points of view and strengthening the Lebanese national process."
Derian, the highest Sunni authority in the country, praised "the achievements of Saudi Arabia and its leadership role in the Arab and Islamic region." "We wish it security, stability, renewal, progress, development and prosperity so that goodness may prevail in the Arab and Muslim countries," he said.
"The interest that Saudi Arabia shows in Lebanon, its people and its institutions deserves all our gratitude and thanks ... The efforts made by Saudi Arabia to help Lebanon out of the crisis that almost destroyed it have not ceased and will not cease, because it is convinced that the stability of Lebanon has repercussions on the region," he stressed.
"We call on the Lebanese government to seize the opportunity offered by Saudi, Arab and international support to resolve the crises hindering Lebanon's stability, particularly regarding the monopoly on weapons and the implementation of the decisions taken in this regard by the Cabinet, with the aim of strengthening the national unity to which the Lebanese aspire," added Derian.
He also paid tribute to Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdelaziz bin Abdallah Al Sheikh, who died Tuesday in Riyadh. "His career was distinguished by tolerance, love, openness, clear words, exemplary moral qualities, wisdom, moderation, generosity of spirit and by his courage and boldness in defending the truth, while working for the unity and cohesion of Muslims with prudence and discernment," wrote Derian.
Riyadh's 'pioneering role'
Several Sunni figures also sent messages of congratulations to Riyadh. Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri congratulated "King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, as well as the Saudi people." "I ask God to guide the kingdom's leaders in all their actions aimed at ensuring stability, prosperity and modernity, and I wish them success in their role as global leaders in establishing peace and ending war," he wrote on X.
Former Prime Minister Nagib Mikati praised "the kingdom's efforts to support Arab causes" and recalled the "sacrifices made for Lebanon and its people." Mikati stressed the importance of the "aid and moral and political support" provided by Saudi Arabia, expressing hope that its initiatives would continue to "bring about justice and restore the rule of law."
The secretary-general of the Future Movement, Ahmad Hariri, praised "95 years of glory" manifested by "the kingdom's pioneering role on the Arab and international stage, as we saw yesterday (Monday) at the summit in New York on the two-state solution, in support of the recognition of the State of Palestine and an end to the war of extermination in Gaza."
Paris and Riyadh sponsored a summit at the UN on Monday during which several countries recognized the Palestinian state for the first time, while the war between Hamas and Israel has been raging in Gaza for almost two years. Hariri also expressed his hope that Saudi Arabia would remain "a source of support and a safety net for all its brothers, including Lebanon."
For his part, Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi said that Riyadh "will remain an essential support for Lebanon and for just Arab causes." "This day embodies a journey of construction and a long road of efforts that have produced a major role, position and influence at the Arab and international levels. We highly appreciate the kingdom's pioneering role in the region, particularly its constant support for Lebanon, as well as its insistence on working towards a two-state solution and the recognition of the Palestinian state."
The president of the Tripoli and North Chamber of Commerce, Toufic Dabboussi, emphasized that Lebanon "will never forget Saudi Arabia's ongoing support and backing of its security, stability and economy". "We aspire to a fruitful partnership, especially as Lebanon, which is steadily moving towards recovery, enjoys a privileged geographical position," he added.
Druze MP Marwan Hamadeh expressed his "deep gratitude" to Saudi Arabia "for its support to Lebanon, which has enabled it to emerge from crises and once again become an active member of [the region]."
In a statement, the dean of the Maronite General Council, former minister Wadih Khazen, extended his "sincere congratulations to the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its National Day". He also praised "Saudi Arabia's fraternal stance towards Lebanon and its constant commitment to supporting its stability and prosperity." He thanked the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Boukhari, "for his remarkable activities in Lebanon, which illustrate the depth of the historical relations between our two countries."
Last Friday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reached out to the kingdom, calling on it to "turn a new page with 'the Resistance' on the basis of a dialogue that would settle differences," while the party did not spare Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies from its criticism, even provoking diplomatic incidents between Lebanon and these countries.
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