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Lebanon's Ambassador: Saudi Decision on Exports Followed Meeting Standards
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Economy & Trade

Lebanon's Ambassador: Saudi Decision on Exports Followed Meeting Standards

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Saudi Arabia has resumed imports from Lebanon after Beirut met required standards to ensure goods pose no risk, according to Lebanon's ambassador to Riyadh.
  • The decision followed intensive security and political coordination between the two countries to combat drug smuggling.
  • The move is seen as a vital lifeline for Lebanon's economy, benefiting agriculture, industry, trade, and services.

Saudi Arabia has resumed imports from Lebanon, a decision welcomed by Lebanese Ambassador to Riyadh, Ali Karanouh, as a "lifeline" for the struggling Lebanese economy. The Kingdom's decision came after Beirut met the necessary standards to ensure its exports posed no risk, a move that required intensive security and political coordination between the two nations.

the depth of the brotherly and historic relations between the two countries, and the Saudi leadership’s keenness to support Lebanon, its institutions, economy, and people, especially in these difficult circumstances.

— Ali KaranouhLebanon's ambassador to Riyadh welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to resume imports.

Karanouh stated that the resumption of trade reflects the "depth of the brotherly and historic relations" between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. He emphasized Saudi Arabia's consistent support for Lebanon, citing its role in ending the civil war and its assistance during reconstruction. The ambassador highlighted that the decision would significantly benefit Lebanon's agriculture, industry, trade, and services sectors, restoring access to a crucial Arab and Gulf market.

a lifeline

— Ali KaranouhAmbassador Karanouh described the importance of the Saudi decision for Lebanon.

The ambassador attributed the positive development to efforts initiated with the election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the formation of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government. He noted the new Lebanese government's determination to reintegrate Lebanon into the Arab world and its commitment to preventing the country from being used as a platform to harm Arab nations.

is not surprising from Saudi Arabia, which has always stood by Lebanon.

— Ali KaranouhKaranouh commented on Saudi Arabia's consistent support for Lebanon.

Significant progress was made on the anti-drug file, with high-level security and political coordination between Lebanese and Saudi authorities. Karanouh mentioned that Saudi officials acknowledged Lebanon's enhanced controls at border crossings, airports, and ports. These measures, implemented over approximately 18 months, helped restore confidence in Lebanese institutions and repair the country's reputation and foreign relations, which had been damaged during a previous period.

showed from the first day its determination to return Lebanon to its natural place among its Arab brothers, after a period of distance caused by political choices that were not in its interest.

— Ali KaranouhThe ambassador spoke about the Lebanese government's efforts to mend relations with Arab states.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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