Aoun praises Saudi Arabia for its 'continued efforts to de-escalate'

President Joseph Aoun on Friday praised Saudi Arabia's "continued efforts" to "de-escalate" and "establish peace" in Yemen, in a message posted on X by the Lebanese presidency, as Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces advance in the south and east of the country.

Aoun highlighted "the kingdom's focus on the primacy of unity, dialogue, and political solutions, as well as its commitment to preserving Yemen's sovereignty, unity and social cohesion."

According to him, "these efforts reflect a responsible regional approach that prioritizes political settlements, avoids escalation, and seeks to alleviate the heavy humanitarian and security burdens facing the Yemeni people."

The UAE-backed STC recently seized large swaths of territory in southern and eastern Yemen, declaring its intention to restore the former state of South Yemen, which was independent from 1967 to 1990.

On Thursday, after clashes between separatists and a tribal leader close to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia condemned these "unilateral" territorial seizures, denouncing "an unjustified escalation" and expressing hope for an "urgent withdrawal ... of STC forces" from the provinces of Mahra and Hadramout.

Comprehensive political solutions

The head of state also noted "the coordination led by the Wahhabi kingdom with its regional and international partners, in support of de-escalation and the strengthening of institutional order and comprehensive political processes, considered essential pillars for achieving sustainable stability in Yemen and the broader Arab region."

In early December, the STC rejected a request from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to withdraw from the new territories it had taken, according to a source close to the separatists cited by AFP.

More than 15,000 Saudi-backed Yemeni fighters are massed in strategic areas along the border between the two countries, a Yemeni military official said Friday. Riyadh may consider military action against the separatists if negotiations fail, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

In another matter, while he repeats that direct negotiations with Israel, started in early December, aim to "keep the specter of war at bay" in Lebanon, Aoun affirmed "Lebanon's principled support for all initiatives that encourage dialogue, reconciliation, and comprehensive political solutions to regional crises," stressing "the importance of joint Arab action to strengthen security, development, and peace."

Tensions between Lebanon and the Gulf countries in recent years, caused by Hezbollah's significant influence in Lebanon, eased this year following the election of Aoun and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as head of government — both keen to bring Lebanon back into the Arab fold — as well as the weakening of the party after the last war with Israel.

Aoun concluded by wishing Saudi Arabia "every success in its efforts," highlighting "the depth of Lebanese-Saudi relations, based on mutual respect and the shared will to preserve regional stability."