Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh yesterday, marking Aoun’s first official trip abroad since taking office in January and the first time in six years for Lebanon’s president to visit Riyadh, according to a post on X and a report from state news agency SPA. The two leaders discussed their countries’ ties, as well as developments in Lebanon and the region. Aoun noted that his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday would prepare for a future visit to sign cooperation agreements, Asharq Al Awsat said.

IN CONTEXT- Aoun was expected to request during his meeting with the Crown Prince the reactivation of a USD 3 bn aid package for the Lebanese army — which was halted in 2016 after Beirut failed to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. Earlier in January, a "last-minute push" by the Kingdom was reportedly the deciding factor in Aoun’s pick as Lebanon’s new president. Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan’s visit to Lebanon in January was the first by a Saudi FM in 15 years.

MEANWHILE- Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid access to Gaza, calling it “extortion and collective punishment,” urging the international community to ensure sustained aid delivery according to a post on X.

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