Yazid ben Farhane meets president Aoun as Lebanon strengthens regional ties

Saturday 20 September 2025 - 11:30

By: Sahili Aya

Yazid ben Farhane meets president Aoun as Lebanon strengthens regional ties

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met on Friday evening at the Baabda Palace with Yazid ben Farhane, advisor to the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, according to a statement published on the presidency’s social media account.

On the same day, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Kassem, called on Saudi Arabia to “open a new page with the resistance,” emphasizing that the region is at a “dangerous turning point” and that Hezbollah’s weapons are “not directed against Lebanon or the Kingdom.” These remarks were made during the first commemoration of the assassination of Ibrahim Akil, a party official. Historically, Hezbollah has frequently criticized Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies, sometimes triggering diplomatic tensions with Lebanon.

Ben Farhane also held talks on Saturday with Tripoli MP Faisal Karame. His previous visit to Beirut was in July, when he met President Aoun as well. After years of limited engagement from Riyadh, largely due to Hezbollah’s dominance in Lebanese politics, the election of Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister earlier this year have improved diplomatic relations with Arab countries, with Saudi Arabia expressing clear support for the current government.

The Iran-aligned Shiite party emerged weakened from last autumn’s conflict, which decimated much of its leadership and arsenal. Its supply lines from Iran were further disrupted following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on December 8, 2024. Since then, Ben Farhane has visited Beirut multiple times, following government measures to centralize arms under state control and implement army plans toward this goal.

France has also shown support for Lebanon, with special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian visiting Beirut on September 11. He confirmed France’s efforts to organize two international conferences in Paris aimed at financing reconstruction, supporting the Lebanese army, and revitalizing the economy. Le Drian noted that he had received “encouraging contacts in Saudi Arabia regarding support for Lebanon.”