Saudi Arabia Reviews Possibility of Resuming Lebanon Imports and Lifting Travel Ban

Saudi Arabia is reviewing the resumption of imports from Lebanon and lifting its travel ban on citizens. This follows a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions seek to address obstacles to trade and include regional security concerns, particularly related to Israeli forces in Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia is set to review the possibility of resuming imports from Lebanon and lifting the travel ban on its citizens visiting the country. This decision follows a meeting in Riyadh between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking President Aoun’s first official trip abroad since his January inauguration. The two governments expressed intent to assess the obstacles impacting trade and travel between the nations.

In April 2021, Saudi Arabia halted imports of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon, citing concerns related to drug smuggling originating from shipments. Despite this, Saudi Arabia was a primary destination for Lebanese agricultural exports, accounting for 22.1 percent of such exports in 2019. Since the 2021 suspension, Saudi citizens have required government permission to travel to Lebanon due to strained bilateral relations.

Negotiations have also touched upon the necessity of addressing territorial disputes, specifically the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon as per a ceasefire agreement reached in November. Following a statement from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, there are indications that Israeli troops may remain indefinitely in a so-called buffer zone, complicating the situation further.

President Aoun’s visit to Riyadh signifies a renewed interest from Saudi Arabia in Lebanese affairs, especially after a prolonged period of estrangement due to Hezbollah’s influence. He also expressed aspirations to revive military aid from Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended since 2016 due to concerns regarding Hezbollah’s presence in the Lebanese military.

The potential resumption of Lebanese imports and the lifting of the travel ban by Saudi Arabia marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations. This development, stemming from discussions between President Aoun and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, could pave the way for improved economic ties. Additionally, addressing regional security concerns, especially the Israeli occupation, remains pivotal. Aoun’s visit reflects a renewed interest from Saudi Arabia in Lebanon, indicating possible future collaborations.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com