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3. A New Chapter for Lebanon in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Summit

The first visit of President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, to Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of a series of future visits to the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly expressed its willingness to support a Lebanon that is committed to reforms, stability, and fostering strong ties both with the international community and Arab countries.

This trip to Riyadh fulfills a promise made by President Aoun, to choose Riyad for his first official visit abroad. The visit follows the government's successful vote of confidence in Parliament, which was delayed by a week and takes also place during Ramadan. As a result, the ministerial delegation accompanying President Aoun will be smaller, as ministers were unable to prepare the 22 agreements to be signed with the Kingdom in such a short time.

Sources close to the matter indicate that this visit will serve as a chance to lay the groundwork for an expanded partnership between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing an environment conducive to Saudi investments and the return of Saudis to Lebanon. In turn, Saudi Arabia will reaffirm its trust in President Aoun and the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam for their efforts to lead Lebanon from its current challenges to a path of stability and prosperity.

Several key issues will be discussed at the Saudi-Lebanese summit and later raised by President Aoun at the Arab League summit in Egypt, with the situation in Palestine being a focal point. The discussions will naturally also touch on the situations of neighboring countries, such as Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria.

President Aoun is expected to address the consequences of the recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as the repercussions of the Gaza conflict, especially regarding the displacement of Palestinians. Lebanon, which hosts hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, insists on the need for their return to their homeland as part of a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution.

The Lebanese president will also caution against the dangers of the continued Israeli occupation of certain Lebanese areas, fearing that this occupation may become part of a broader Middle East solution. He will underscore that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to this issue, as any alternative would only deepen the suffering of the Lebanese people.

During the visit to Saudi Arabia and at the Arab summit, president Aoun will also emphasize that it has entered a new phase, where the state now exercises full control over all political, military, economic, and financial matters. The primary goal is to restore confidence in the state, with the aim of benefitting Lebanon and its people, particularly in securing funding for the reconstruction process in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the war between Hezbollah and Israel.