Letter exchanges between Saudi kings, princes, and officials and Lebanon’s Maronite patriarchs over the last century highlight the depth of shared relations, cooperation, and friendship between the two sides.
Besides being solid, the relationship dates back to the early days of Lebanon’s Independence and covers national and political grounds and services. It stands to prove the extent of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for coexistence in Lebanon.
Affection, respect, appreciation, and positivity shine through the letters released by the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki.
The archive’s trove of letters contains correspondences from the reigns of several Maronite Patriarchs: Athony Arida (1932 - 1955), Paul Meouchi (1955 - 1975), Antonios Khoraish (1975 - 1986), and Nasrallah Sfeir (1986 - 2011).
Discourse in the letters focused on the national aspect and voicing the gratitude of the Maronite Patriarchate to Saudi leaders who always held Lebanon’s best interest at heart and continue to do so.
“Our pleasure for your Majesty’s ascension to the throne is great,” Patriarch Arida had said in his congratulatory letter to King Saud bin Abdulaziz for him succeeding his father late King Abdulaziz.
In the letter, Arida praises King Abdulaziz for having been a “great immortal man” who had an affirmative and “white-handed” influence on Arabs in general and Lebanon in particular.
For his part, King Saud responded by thanking the Lebanese Patriarchate for conveying its best wishes.
“We met with your honorable delegation, headed by His Excellency Archbishop Abdullah Najim,” confirmed King Saud said in his correspondence, adding that the royal assembly was delighted by the speech delivered by the archbishop.
About the speech, King Saud said it “indicated the wide-ranging and strong bonds” that tie the peoples and countries of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia to each other.
Najim’s speech showcased a strong bond of Arabism that “was woven by the hands of the passing ages,” according to King Saud.
