Lebanese President Reaffirms Solidarity with Saudi Arabia in Call with Crown Prince
Lebanese President expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia and calls for respect of its sovereignty.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Beirut, October 13 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Tuesday his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the attacks it suffered. The Lebanese presidency said in a statement that this came during a phone call between President Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, in which the latter briefed him on the situation in the Kingdom after attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other civilian facilities and infrastructure.
President Aoun reiterated his condemnation of these attacks and expressed Lebanon’s solidarity, both at the presidential and popular levels, with the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, considering that these attacks “pose a threat to the security and stability of the Kingdom, as well as to the security and stability of the region.” He also stressed “the necessity of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and refraining from targeting its civilian and vital facilities,” expressing his condolences to the victims of the attacks and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
In a separate development, the Lebanese presidency said in another statement that President Aoun affirmed to his visitors at the Baabda Presidential Palace on Tuesday that he had made the decision to negotiate “to save what remains of Lebanon… The agreement we reached is not perfect, but it limited the expansion of Israeli attacks.” He added, “Strikes in the south are still ongoing, and we are doing our utmost to mitigate them and achieve the ultimate and final goal that I have announced and continue to state, and will keep stating: ending the state of hostility with Israel.”
On the economic front, President Aoun noted that Lebanon managed to achieve growth of about four percent last year, increased the Central Bank’s reserves, and recorded a current account surplus. “But the war pushed us back,” he said. He pointed out that Lebanon’s entry into the Ports Club, which represents ports along the economic corridor between India, the Middle East, and Europe, through the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, was a “positive” development, as was the lifting by U.S. President Donald Trump of all orders issued since 1985 that prohibited U.S. flights from traveling to and from Lebanon.
He also highlighted achievements by security agencies in combating “terrorism” and drugs, securing borders, maintaining internal security in Lebanon, welcoming many Arab tourists, and launching operations at President René Moawad Airport in Qlayaa. (End) A.Y.B. / N.A.A.
