Lebanon is regaining its vitality: Aoun to Federation of Lebanese-Gulf Business Councils

BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun told a delegation from the Federation of Lebanese-Gulf Business Councils on Monday that "Lebanon has begun to regain its vitality despite the ongoing wound in the South.”

“Your responsibility is significant in contributing to its economic revival and in strengthening Gulf confidence in Lebanon, especially since the Gulf leaders I met all praised the role played by Lebanese communities in their countries," Aoun told the federation, according to a statement released by the Lebanese Presidency on X.

Tensions between Lebanon and Gulf countries in the past years, which were caused by Hezbollah's significant influence in Lebanon, have eased this year following the election of Aoun and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister, as well as Hezbollah's weakening as a result of last year's war between the group and Israel.

In 2021, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait recalled their diplomats from Lebanon following controversial remarks made by former Information Minister George Kordahi concerning Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, for which it stands accused of war crimes by the U.N. and several international humanitarian organizations.