Report: Saudi Arabia Keen on Showing Support for Lebanon

Saudi Arabia's keenness on showing support for Lebanon “at all levels” was reflected in the meetings of Saudi Charge d’Affaires Walid al-Bukhari with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri a day earlier, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed participation in international conferences in support of Lebanon, mainly the upcoming Rome II Conference on March 15 set to boost Lebanon's military and security institutions.

Bukhari, who has been recently re-appointed in Lebanon replacing Ambassador Walid al-Yaaqoub, said after meeting Berri: “Discussions have focused on the developments in the region and bilateral relations between the two countries. I assured the Speaker of the Kingdom's keenness on preserving Lebanon's stability.”

On the other hand, informed sources told the daily that Hariri-Bukhari meeting “was held in the context of the Kingdom's support for Lebanon and its participation in the Rome II Conference this week. Bukhari will attend the conference alongside a Saudi delegation. This reflects the interest of the Kingdom in this conference.”

“Bukhari's meeting with Hariri was friendly and falls within the context of the Kingdom's constant emphasis on Lebanon at all levels,” they added on condition of anonymity.

Lebanon is gearing for a variety of donor international meetings this year to garner support for its economy and army, and to help it deal with the Syrian refugee crisis as it hosts around one million refugees.