BEIRUT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his election as president on behalf of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Following his meeting with Aoun at the Presidential Palace, which lasted about half an hour, Prince Faisal said that they discussed 鈥渄evelopments in the region; I conveyed to him the Kingdom鈥檚 support for Lebanon and its brotherly people in all fields.鈥�

He emphasized 鈥渢he importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and the importance of implementing Resolution 1701.鈥�

Prince Faisal said that 萝莉视频 was 鈥渙ptimistic about Lebanon鈥檚 future, in light of the reformist approach outlined in the president鈥檚 inaugural address.鈥�

He added: 鈥淲e have great confidence in the president and the prime minister-designate to implement the required reforms in Lebanon, which will enhance the world鈥檚 confidence in Lebanon and contribute to stabilizing the political and economic situation in the country.

鈥淲e are optimistic that Lebanese leaders will seize the opportunity and work earnestly for Lebanon.鈥�

The Kingdom, Prince Faisal said, 鈥渨ill continue to provide full support to Lebanon to achieve stability and development in various fields.鈥�

He stressed the 鈥渘ecessity of continuous coordination between the two countries to achieve their shared goals.鈥�

His visit marked a turning point in years of strained relations between Lebanon and 萝莉视频.

The tension was caused by Hezbollah鈥檚 dominance over Lebanon鈥檚 political decisions over the past years, and the use of illegal crossings for drug smuggling, particularly Captagon, to Gulf states.

The Saudi minister emphasized from Davos that the election of Aoun as Lebanon鈥檚 president was a 鈥渧ery positive development.鈥�

Prince Faisal welcomed the 鈥渇ormation of the government,鈥� but emphasized the need for 鈥渞eal reforms and a forward-looking approach to ensure sustainable progress.鈥�

He also reiterated that 鈥渢he future of Lebanon rests in the hands of its people to make decisions that steer the country in a new direction.鈥�

Meanwhile, Qatar鈥檚 ambassador to Lebanon, Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, expressed hope for 鈥渢he formation of the new government in Lebanon, allowing it to focus on accomplishing its awaited tasks, which would foster stability and ensure the flow of aid for Lebanon鈥檚 reconstruction.鈥�

He highlighted 鈥渢he Gulf鈥檚 interest in Lebanon, illustrated by the visits of the Saudi and Kuwaiti ministers of foreign affairs, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council鈥檚 secretary-general, to Beirut.

鈥淚 believe Israel will withdraw from the territories it recently occupied in southern Lebanon. The international ceasefire monitoring committee is fulfilling its role, with the US and France supporting this outcome.鈥�

The ambassador also said that 鈥淕ulf nationals, including Qataris, are expected to return to Lebanon for the summer season.鈥�

Meanwhile, Emirati businessman Khalaf Al-Habtoor said that he plans to invest in a 鈥渓arge and ambitious project in Lebanon once the new government is formed. The project has a vision to contribute to the economic renaissance and provide thousands of jobs, to be a real addition to support the Lebanese economy and restore confidence in it.鈥�

However, Al-Habtoor stressed that any new investment would be contingent on the formation of a properly constituted government.

鈥淭he new government must be free of subordination and quotas, and it must not include those who ruined Lebanon, caused the collapse of the economy and instigated its wars,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his phase requires trustworthy leaders and a Cabinet of experienced and qualified individuals who are committed to prioritizing Lebanon鈥檚 interests. Security and stability are the foundation of any recovery, and these can only be achieved through a strong and independent government capable of restoring the confidence of Lebanese, Arab and international investors.鈥�

Al-Habtoor also cautioned that 鈥渁ny leniency in the formation process or acceptance of subordination will only lead to the continuation of the crisis and will close the doors of investment and renaissance to Lebanon and its people.鈥�