Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Lebanon’s efforts to assert control over weapons: FM

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the Lebanese state and its efforts to ensure that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the state during a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

During the talks, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations, which have been strained in recent years due to Hezbollah’s dominance over the state and widespread drug smuggling into the Kingdom. Prince Faisal acknowledged steps taken by Lebanon’s current government toward reform, as well as its efforts to “preserve Lebanon’s capabilities, safety, and territorial integrity,” according to a readout from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Prince Faisal visited Beirut last year following the election of President Joseph Aoun, becoming the first Saudi foreign minister to travel to Lebanon in 15 years. Aoun made Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination after taking office.

In November, Saudi Arabia announced plans to boost commercial ties with Lebanon after Lebanese authorities demonstrated “efficacy” in curbing drug smuggling into the Kingdom.

In 2021, Riyadh banned all imports from Lebanon, citing the smuggling of Captagon, a methamphetamine-like drug produced in Lebanon and Syria.