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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for his first official trip abroad since taking office earlier this year. His visit was confirmed by both the Lebanese presidency and Saudi media.
“I look forward with great hope to the talks I will hold with (de facto Saudi ruler) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening,” the Lebanese presidency posted on X. Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya also reported his arrival.
The visit will begin with an official welcome, followed by a meeting with the Saudi crown prince in the presence of delegations from both countries. After that, President Aoun and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will hold a private discussion before concluding the day with a formal dinner.
During the talks, the Lebanese leader is expected to express gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s support, particularly in Lebanon’s recent presidential election. He is also likely to emphasise the importance of strengthening political, economic, and military ties between the two nations.
This visit is seen as a step towards a larger diplomatic engagement. After Ramadan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are expected to finalise 22 agreements covering various sectors, with the actual number of signed deals likely to be even higher.
On Tuesday, President Aoun will travel to Egypt to attend an emergency Arab summit. He is expected to meet other regional leaders on the sidelines, as is common at such gatherings.
Lebanon’s speech at the summit is expected to reaffirm the country’s support for the Palestinian cause and the Arab Peace Initiative, first introduced in Beirut in 2002. It will also highlight Lebanon’s sacrifices in defending this position.
