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Saudi Arabia Optimistic About Lebanon’s Future

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (L) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 23 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (L) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 23 January 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Optimistic About Lebanon’s Future

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (L) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 23 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (L) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 23 January 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah expressed on Thursday the Kingdom’s optimism over Lebanon’s future.

Prince Faisal was in Lebanon on Thursday on an official visit, the first by a Saudi FM in 15 years.

He held separate meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, caretaker PM Najib Mikati and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Saudi Arabia is a member of the quintet that helped end Lebanon’s presidential vacuum earlier this month when Aoun was elected. Lebanon is passing through a transition that requires serious support to consolidate its international commitments in implementing United Nations Security Council resolution 1701, deploying the army to the South, reconstructing the country after the war between Israel and Hezbollah and carrying out reforms.

Meeting with Aoun, Prince Faisal underscored the Saudi leadership’s keenness on Lebanon returning as a model for the region and an example of coexistence and prosperity.

He hailed Aoun’s leadership and inaugural speech which set Lebanon on the right path.

“The Kingdom will stand by Lebanon and follow step by step as it moves along this new path,” he added.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, January 23, 2025. (Lebanese Parliament/Handout via Reuters)

Moreover, he underlined the importance of the reforms that the new government will carry out upon its formation, conveying the openness of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to suggestions that would lead Lebanon to a prosperous future.

The Saudi leadership is looking forward to meeting with Aoun to set the foundations for cooperation between their countries, remarked Prince Faisal.

“Despite the challenges we are facing in the region, the Kingdom is looking at Lebanon's future with optimism under the reformist approach that came in the president's speech after his inauguration,” he stressed.

“These reforms will boost the confidence of Lebanon's partners and open space for the country to regain its rightful place in the Arab and international spheres,” he added.

“We are confident the Lebanese leadership will seize the opportunity and work seriously to bolster Lebanon’s security and sovereignty and safeguard its institutions,” he remarked.

For his part, Aoun hoped relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon will become stronger in all fields and for Saudis to return to visit Lebanon once again.

He expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia in helping Lebanon, especially in ending the presidential vacuum that stretched for over two years.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, at Salam's house in Beirut, Lebanon January 23, 2025. (Reuters)

He described Prince Faisal’s visit as a message of hope to Lebanon, recalling the historic bonds between their countries.

Before his departure, the FM conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed over his election, wishing him success and that he would meet the aspirations of the people in achieving stability and progress in Lebanon.

Furthermore, he stressed to Aoun the importance of committing to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, including the implementation of resolution 1701 and relevant international agreements.

Meeting with Berri, Prince Faisal discussed with the speaker the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as bilateral relations between Riyadh and Beirut.

Prince Faisal is set to leave for Syria later on Friday.

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Gulf

Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Governor General of Canada over School Shooting

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Governor General of Canada Mary Simon over the deadly school shooting in Western Canada.

The Saudi King condemned the heinous criminal act and expressed to the Governor General, the families of the victims, and the friendly people of Canada his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar cable of condolences to the Governor General.

Gulf

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
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Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.

 

Gulf

SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) hosted in Riyadh on Wednesday a meeting of the Yemen Partners Group (YPG), co-chaired by the Yemeni government, United Kingdom, and World Bank, with the participation of the United Nations and international organizations.

Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani; UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Julien Harneis and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Supervisor General Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, as well as a number of ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and donor entities attended the meeting.

Zindani expressed confidence in the new government and its clearly defined priorities that it will work to implement, which will help achieve stability and economic recovery.

He stressed the government’s aim to maximize benefit from the vital projects and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia through the SDRPY, which offers important support for basic sectors and for boosting development efforts across Yemen.

Zindani expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support to Yemen, commending the level of cooperation with the SDRPY and its efforts in supporting and empowering national institutions.

For his part, Grundberg emphasized the importance of the development projects provided by the Kingdom, particularly at this stage, noting positive indicators in Yemen, especially improvements in energy-sector stability.

Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Ghaleb reviewed the bank’s priorities, stressing its commitment to transparency, the need to combat inflation, and the importance of international coordination and support to address challenges.

Al Jaber underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to overcome obstacles facing peace and development in Yemen under the leadership of the Yemeni government.

The meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the priorities of the government and Central Bank, strengthening coordination to ensure that development and financial support is directed efficiently and effectively, and to assist donor entities and international organizations in aligning their interventions with the government’s priorities, he added.

The meeting reviewed a package of Saudi development projects worth SAR1.9 billion provided to Yemen in January, which helped boost energy-sector stability through the fuel derivatives grant, ensuring the continued operation of hospitals and vital service facilities.

It reviewed other development projects and initiatives scheduled for delivery during the coming period.