Saudi Arabia Calls on Lebanon to Elect President ‘as Soon as Possible’

Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi meets with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari in al-Diman. (Saudi embassy on the X platform)
Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi meets with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari in al-Diman. (Saudi embassy on the X platform)
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Saudi Arabia Calls on Lebanon to Elect President ‘as Soon as Possible’

Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi meets with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari in al-Diman. (Saudi embassy on the X platform)
Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi meets with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari in al-Diman. (Saudi embassy on the X platform)

Saudi Arabia urged on Monday Lebanese officials to elect a president “as soon as possible to help save Lebanon.”

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari met with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at his summer residence in al-Diman to discuss developments in Lebanon.

“The visit is part of the constant cooperation with the patriarch,” said the ambassador.

The Saudi embassy said the officials discussed bilateral relations between Beirut and Riyadh and ways to develop them.

They tackled the latest developments in Lebanon, most notably the presidential elections.

They underlined the need for the election of a president, who would unite all Lebanese and work on strengthening ties between Lebanon and its Arab fold.

Spokesman for the patriarchate Walid Ghayyad said the nearly hour-long meeting mainly focused on the most pressing issue at hand, which is holding the presidential elections and Saudi Arabia’s local and international efforts to that end.

Ghayyad added that Bukhari expressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness on Lebanon’s stability, that its constitution and Taif Accord be protected and that no one impose conditions on the Lebanese people.

The Kingdom respects the will of the Lebanese people and will cooperate with any decision they take, he quoted the ambassador as saying.



GCC, MWL Condemn Israeli Attack on Syria’s Koya 

This picture taken from Israel-occupied Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koya during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025. (AFP)
This picture taken from Israel-occupied Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koya during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025. (AFP)
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GCC, MWL Condemn Israeli Attack on Syria’s Koya 

This picture taken from Israel-occupied Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koya during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025. (AFP)
This picture taken from Israel-occupied Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koya during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025. (AFP)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the Israeli attack on the Syrian town of Koya on Tuesday.

In a statement, Albudaiwi said the attack is an extension of Israel’s aggressive policy of undermining security and stability in the region.

He referred to a statement issued by the Ministerial Council of the GCC in its 163rd session that emphasized the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The security and stability of Syria are essential pillars for the stability of the region's security, as well as for maintaining regional and international peace and security, he stressed.

Moreover, he underlined the need for the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to stop these repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and called for the withdrawal from all occupied Syrian lands.

The Muslim World League (MWL) also condemned the attack.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa slammed Israel's violation of international laws and norms and its actions that are destabilizing Syria and the region.

He called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action against these dangerous violations.

He expressed full solidarity with Syria and its people against all threats to its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.