Lebanon President Joseph Aoun meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said he was looking forward to reviving bilateral ties between Beirut and Riyadh ahead of his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.

“I look forward with great hope to talks I will have with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening,” Aoun said in comments published on X as he landed on his first official visit abroad since being elected in January.

He voiced hopes that these talks would “pave the way” for future visits where bilateral agreements could be signed between the two countries.

Aoun, the former Lebanese army chief, was elected in January and his election was welcomed regionally and internationally, months after Lebanon was involved in a war with Israel.

The president had previously announced that his first official trip abroad would be to Saudi Arabia and in a recent interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Aoun underscored the historic ties between Lebanon and the Kingdom.

As ties between both countries have over the past years taken a hit due to Hezbollah and its role in drug trafficking and aid to Yemen’s Houthis, Aoun said he hoped this would be repaired.