Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (left) and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, on March 3, 2025, in Riyadh. Photo X/Saudi Press Agency
BEIRUT — During a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Joseph Aoun on Friday called for the reopening of the Saudi market to Lebanese agricultural and industrial products, emphasizing the importance of this outlet in supporting the national economy.
Trade between the two countries has been suspended since 2021, when Saudi authorities banned the import of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon after seizing shipments containing captagon. In this context, the head of state assured that Beirut had adopted "strict measures aimed at securing and controlling its exports." According to a message posted by the Lebanese presidency on its X account, the crown prince reportedly promised to issue instructions for a possible reopening of the Saudi market to Lebanese products.
The two officials also reviewed the situation in Lebanon and the region. Joseph Aoun thanked Saudi Arabia for its support of Lebanon in various fields, especially praising its efforts "to ease tensions" and "put an end to the escalation currently facing the country," as southern Lebanon remains exposed to Israeli strikes and Israel’s army continues to occupy more than 600 square kilometers of territory in the south. Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to "implement a cease-fire" and create "pilot zones" under the control of the Lebanese army, following two days of talks in Washington.
For his part, the Saudi crown prince reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its ongoing support and efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people.
The head of state had already thanked Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Thursday for his role in promoting stability and peace in the region.
