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)
TT

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.



Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
TT

Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.