Saudi Arabia says it supports the Lebanese government’s authority over the country’s entire territory and confiscation of weapons from armed Shiite groups, thereby limiting the influence of the southern-based Shiite movement Hezbollah.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday, following Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Riyadh.
Aoun’s trip to Saudi Arabia marked his first foreign visit since taking office as president in January.
He became the first Lebanese president to visit the kingdom in the past six years.
Aoun traveled to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
“They stressed the importance of the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, the implementation of relevant international resolutions and the extension of state sovereignty over the entire territory of Lebanon.
“Also the concentration of weapons under the control of the Lebanese state,’’ the SPA wrote.
Aoun and Mohammed bin Salman also agreed on the need for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, it added.
Additionally, the two reportedly discussed the conditions for resuming Lebanese agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia, which had been banned due to abuse by drug traffickers.
The possibilities for the resumption of tourist trips from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon were also addressed, the Saudi state-run news agency said. (RIA/NAN)
