Saudi Arabia is contemplating lifting the travel ban on its citizens visiting Lebanon and restarting imports from the country, marking a potential political shift in the region. The discussions come as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Riyadh, his first foreign trip since assuming office in January.
The two governments, in a joint statement following Aoun’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, expressed their intention to address the barriers hindering the resumption of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia. This move signifies Saudi Arabia’s renewed interest in Lebanese affairs, a departure from its previous stance of maintaining distance due to the influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has waned following a conflict with Israel last year.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia suspended fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon, citing concerns of drug smuggling and criticizing Beirut for its perceived inaction. Previously, Saudi Arabia was a significant market for Lebanese agricultural exports, with a report indicating that it accounted for a substantial portion of Lebanon’s exports in 2019.
Furthermore, since 2021, Saudi citizens have been required to obtain government authorization before traveling to Lebanon due to strained relations between the two countries. The recent discussions also touched on the imperative of the Israeli army’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, as stipulated in a ceasefire agreement from November.
President Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia holds historical significance, being the first time in eight years that a Lebanese head of state has visited Riyadh. Aoun expressed his intentions to explore the reactivation of military aid, following Riyadh’s suspension of $3 billion in military assistance to the Lebanese army in 2016, citing concerns about Hezbollah’s influence.
The potential lifting of the travel ban and resumption of imports between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon could have broader implications for the region, signaling a possible realignment of political dynamics. As discussions continue, the relationship between these two nations is poised to undergo significant changes, reflecting evolving geopolitical considerations in the Middle East.
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