Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that it was resuming diplomatic relations with Lebanon following a five-month hiatus.
The Foreign Ministry announced in an official statement that it would re-appoint Ambassador Waleed Bukhari to Beirut “in response to the calls and appeals of Lebanon’s moderate national political forces.”
It stated that Lebanese Premier Najib Mikati had demonstrated a willingness to work more closely with Riyadh and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in order to put an end to political, military, and security activities affecting the country and region.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes the critical nature of Lebanon’s return to its Arab roots as represented by its national institutions and origins, in order for Lebanon to maintain security and peace,” it added.
The two countries’ crisis began in October 2021, when former Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized Saudi Arabia’s Yemen policy.
Riyadh, along with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), responded by suspending diplomatic and commercial relations with Lebanon, though the strained ties did not mend themselves even after Kordahi’s resignation.
Last month, Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati stated that his country was committed to mending strained ties with the GCC and Riyadh and that activities of organizations based in Lebanon that threaten the GCC and Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security, and stability should be halted.
This sparked a process of reconciliation between the conflicting parties, with the Saudi Foreign Ministry hailing the premier’s statement’s “positive points.”
