Aoun highlights "brotherly ties" with Saudi Arabia on its 95th national day
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun congratulated Saudi Arabia on the occasion of its 95th national day, emphasizing the “brotherly ties” and cooperation that unite Beirut and Riyadh. In his statement, Aoun expressed his hope to strengthen bilateral relations “for the benefit of both peoples,” while also wishing the kingdom lasting security, stability, and prosperity.
The greetings were addressed to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at a moment when relations between Lebanon and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are gradually warming after years of diplomatic tensions, largely linked to Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.
Sunni religious and political figures also marked the occasion. The Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Abdellatif Deriane, praised Saudi Arabia’s “pioneering role” in the Arab and Islamic worlds, stressing the kingdom’s ongoing support for Lebanon’s stability and recovery from its crises. He also called on the Lebanese government to seize the opportunity of Saudi and international backing to address national challenges, particularly the issue of armed groups operating outside state authority.
Other political leaders, including former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi, underlined Saudi Arabia’s consistent support for Lebanon, describing Riyadh as a “big sister” and a vital ally for Arab causes, notably the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The celebrations coincided with Saudi Arabia’s participation, alongside France, in a UN summit advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For many in Lebanon, the gesture reinforced Riyadh’s influence as both a regional leader and a guarantor of Lebanon’s fragile stability.
The message of fraternity from Aoun comes days after Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, extended an unprecedented call for dialogue with Riyadh to “open a new page” in relations — a potential sign of shifting dynamics in Lebanon’s foreign ties with the Gulf.
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