Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met on Sunday with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah.
The Crown Prince and Salam exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings and discussed Saudi-Lebanese relations, the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, and the ongoing efforts to address them.
A Lebanese government statement said Salam stressed during the meeting the need to move forward in bolstering the partnership between Beirut and Riyadh.
Lebanon is forging ahead in reforms, especially financial and institutional ones, to activate investments and revive the economy, it added.
Salam stressed that the government is working on imposing its authority throughout Lebanese territories in line with the Taif Accord, expressing his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in launching the process of demarcating the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, and Secretary to the Crown Prince Dr. Bandar Al-Rasheed.
This was Salam's first foreign visit since he was appointed to his post last month.
Observers said his visit and performing of the Eid al-Fitr prayer with the Crown Prince reflect the Lebanese leadership’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s stances towards Lebanon.
It also reflects its belief in the Kingdom’s historic role in backing Lebanon and underscores its Arab identity and belonging.
The observers noted that Riyadh and Beirut have opened a new chapter in ties given their respective leadership’s interest in developing them on all levels.
