“Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

Lebanon's Reintegration into the Arab Fold via Saudi Arabia

Beirut and Riyadh's relationship is driven by political decisions, not agreements

After years of limited engagement in Arab affairs, Lebanon has recently reasserted its presence through President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia, followed by his participation in the extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo. This marks Lebanon’s return to the Arab fold and its reaffirmation of its role within the region.

A well-informed source, speaking to the "Akhbar Al-Yawm" agency, noted that the relationship between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia is not solely defined by agreements, despite their institutional significance, since the core issue lies in the political decision to support Lebanon. The source recalled that Saudi Arabia had withdrawn its backing when it became evident that Lebanon had fallen completely under the control of the Iranian regime through Hezbollah’s dominance over the political landscape. At that time, any financial support for Lebanon would have effectively meant funding Iran’s proxy rather than the Lebanese state itself.

Commenting on Aoun’s visit and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the source emphasized that its significance lies in a single fundamental outcome: Saudi Arabia’s decision to re-engage with Lebanon and resume its support. This visit, according to the source, serves as a green light for Lebanon’s reintegration into the Gulf and Arab framework through Saudi Arabia.

Drawing a historical parallel, the source compared this development to the post-Taif Agreement period, which laid the foundation for stability and guided Lebanon toward building a strong and functional state. The source also pointed out that the previous freeze in bilateral agreements resulted from Lebanon’s failure to uphold key commitments essential for advancing relations. This was reaffirmed in the joint Lebanese-Saudi statement, which underscored full adherence to the Taif Agreement and relevant international resolutions.

Moreover, the source pointed out that the joint statement also emphasized the implementation of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s ministerial declaration, considered the first of its kind since the 1990s, particularly in its commitment to the state’s exclusive control over arms and the deployment of the Lebanese Army across the entire national territory.

Rejecting any notion of a political coup, the source argued that the current government has, in fact, rectified an imbalance by ensuring that it does not include a blocking third. This momentum is expected to continue, particularly in key security and administrative appointments, which remain a priority at both the international and Arab levels. With more than 2,400 vacant positions in state institutions, the path to reform has now been paved, signaling that under the new Term, there will be no turning back.