Saudi ambassador to return to Lebanon after Mikati statement

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The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon will return to Lebanon by the start of Ramadan next week, Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria reported on Wednesday, after Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati affirmed the country’s commitment to restore relations with Gulf states on Tuesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mikati wrote that he had spoken with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah about restoring normal relations between Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“I renew the commitment of the Lebanese government to take the necessary and required measures to enhance cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Lebanon’s commitment to all the decisions of the Arab League and international legitimacy, and its commitment to serious and actual work to follow up and complete the implementation of its provisions in a manner that guarantees civil peace and national stability for Lebanon and fortifies its unity,” Mikati wrote in the statement.

The Lebanese prime minister stressed the need to end all political, military, security and media activities originating from Lebanon that affect the “sovereignty, security and stability” of Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.

Mikati also renewed his commitment to combat the smuggling of contraband, especially drugs, to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries from Lebanon. He additionally affirmed Beirut’s commitment to the Riyadh Agreement on judicial cooperation and the extradition of wanted persons to Saudi Arabia.

Lebanon would work to “prevent the use of Lebanese financial and banking channels to conduct any financial transactions that might harm the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the countries of the GCC,” the prime minister said.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed Mikati’s statements on Tuesday, saying it “hopes that this will contribute to Lebanon’s restoration of its role and status in the Arab and international arenas.”

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also welcomed the prime minister’s statements, saying it looked forward to “completing constructive and practical measures in this regard.”

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-702083