- 19:20
It’s an image that hasn’t been seen in years: a Lebanese president received with great pomp in Riyadh.
President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia, before heading to Cairo to participate in the Arab League summit, was brief but symbolically significant given the nearly decade-long chill in relations between the two countries. Aoun stated that his visit to Riyadh was “an opportunity to confirm the strength of Lebanese-Saudi relations and to express Lebanon’s gratitude for the Kingdom’s role in supporting the country and its stability.”
It had been rumored in Baabda’s corridors for weeks: Aoun’s first trip would be to Saudi Arabia. Mission accomplished, despite the Arab League’s scheduling constraints, which forced the president’s team to organize this meeting in Riyadh as quickly as possible.
This was not a state visit in response to the invitation extended by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on January 23. However, this official visit by the head of state – the first by a Lebanese president since 2017 – is a clear political statement, signaling to the Lebanese people, the Arab world and the international community that Aoun’s tenure will mark a return to a pro-Arab Lebanese diplomacy. His speech at the Arab Summit in Cairo was nothing short of direct and unambiguous: “I am 100% Lebanese and 100% Arab, and I am proud of both identities.” He continued, “Lebanon is returning today to Arab legitimacy […]. Lebanon has learned not to be a battleground for others’ wars, nor a base for foreign political influence.”
According to several sources close to the presidency, “it is always good to reconnect with our friends.” These same sources assert, “Lebanon’s presence in its Arab environment will be different this time.” President Aoun emphasized this upon his arrival: “I hope and expect from Saudi Arabia [...] that we can rectify our relations in the interest of both countries and overcome all the obstacles of the recent past.”
This is a far cry from the days when the former President Michel Aoun, accompanied by his son-in-law, the foreign minister, promised King Salman that Lebanon would return to the Arab fold – while simultaneously refusing to support the Kingdom in its war against the Iran-backed Houthi militia or condemn Hezbollah’s attacks on Gulf monarchies. A testament to this shift: Joseph Aoun met, on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo, with Yemen’s legitimate president, Rashad al-Alimi, who is also suffering from Iran’s support for militia groups.
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun welcoming Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo, on March 4, 2025. © Presidential Palace
The Saudis have understood this as well: during his visit in January, their foreign minister reaffirmed to Aoun the Kingdom’s commitment to Lebanon, which bin Farhan described as a “second home for Saudis.” It is also worth noting that despite all political disputes, particularly with the Michel Aoun-Hezbollah camp, the Kingdom never ceased to support the Lebanese people, even playing a key role in ending the presidential vacuum.
Though brief, the presidential visit to Riyadh yielded tangible results: on Tuesday, both countries announced in a joint statement that they would explore ways to lift restrictions on Lebanese agricultural exports to the Kingdom and Saudi citizens traveling to Lebanon.
The next step is expected to be a full-fledged state visit by President Aoun to Saudi Arabia, during which 22 bilateral agreements will be signed. A new chapter in Lebanese-Arab relations is beginning, one that can only benefit Lebanon.
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