President Joseph Aoun declared upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia on Monday, during his first official visit abroad: “it is an opportunity to reaffirm the depth of Lebanese-Saudi relations and to express appreciation for the role played by the Kingdom in supporting Lebanon’s stability, safety, and constitutional institutions.”
Aoun stressed that “the visit will also be an opportunity to thank the Kingdom for embracing the Lebanese who have come to Saudi Arabia over the years and continue to do so, contributing, as such, to its urban and economic development.”
He added: "I look forward with great hope to the talks that I will hold with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening, which will pave the way for a subsequent visit during which agreements will be signed that will enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”
Aoun is visiting the oil-rich kingdom at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, the country’s de-facto ruler, accompanied by Foreign Minister Joe Rajji. He was greeted at the airport by Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, and Lebanese Ambassador to the Kingdom, Fawzi Kabbara.
After the one-day visit, Aoun will head to Cairo to attend the emergency Arab League summit dedicated to discussing the situation in Gaza in view of US President Donald Trump’s initiative to take control of the enclave after moving Gazans to Egypt and Jordan.
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