Lebanon has welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on imports in light of the “positive steps” taken by the Lebanese government to rebuild state institutions.
The Saudi Crown Prince’s decision was widely welcomed across Lebanon, nearly five years after Saudi Arabia halted all Lebanese imports, citing at the time “the importance of taking all necessary measures to protect the security of the Kingdom and its people.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conveyed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s directive in a phone call with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday.
He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty over all its territory and the well-being of its people, as well as Riyadh’s confidence that Lebanon would take all necessary measures to ensure it is not used as a platform to harm its brothers.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed deep gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying the decision was “a sincere expression of the depth of Arab brotherhood that binds the two brotherly countries, and an embodiment of the wise Saudi leadership’s keenness to support Lebanon and its people during the phase of recovery and revival it is undergoing.”
“This kind step will make a tangible contribution to reviving the national economy and supporting broad segments of Lebanese producers and exporters,” Aoun said.
He added that the entire Lebanese people appreciates the decision, and “views it as a gesture that strengthens the path of Lebanese-Saudi relations rooted in the bonds of history and shared destiny.”
Salam said the decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports reflected the depth of the brotherly and historic ties between the two countries. He said it embodied Saudi confidence in Lebanon and a shared desire to strengthen economic and trade cooperation.
Salam said the move was an important step that would support Lebanon’s economy, open new opportunities for Lebanese producers and exporters, and help promote growth and stability.
He said Lebanon looked forward to continued work and coordination with Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation and partnership in various fields for the benefit and prosperity of both countries.
The Saudi ban began in 2021 on agricultural product imports, then extended to all goods, and was linked to the smuggling of the drug Captagon, after smugglers and criminal networks exploited Lebanon as a platform for drug smuggling into the Kingdom.
This increased pressure on the collapsing Lebanese economy, which was already suffering from a severe financial crisis in 2019, especially with agricultural exports moving away from traditional Arab Gulf markets.
Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia reached approximately $240 million in 2020.
Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Al-Hajjar thanked “Saudi Arabia for the decision to resume Lebanese exports.”
In a television interview, Al-Hajjar considered that “this step is the beginning of trust in Lebanese state institutions,” confirming that “the necessary measures have been taken to control border crossings.”
“We are coordinating with Saudi Arabia to control drug smuggling operations,” Al-Hajjar said.
Likewise, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji stated that “the resumption of Lebanon's exports to Saudi Arabia is a bright page on the path to restoring confidence in the Lebanese state.”
For his part, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamni issued a statement thanking the Saudi leadership and affirming that the resumption of Lebanese exports to the Saudi market “has highly significant dimensions and constitutes direct support for the Lebanese economy.”
“It also consolidates Lebanon's position as a reliable trade partner in the region,” he said.
Minister of Industry Joe Issa El-Khoury said that with the return of Lebanese products to the Saudi market, “returns hope for a stronger Lebanese industry, more committed, and more present in its Arab environment.”
