Photo Credit: X/@LBpresidency
Dubai, UAE — June 2026 — Saudi Arabia has announced the resumption of Lebanese exports into the Kingdom, in a significant diplomatic and economic development that signals a renewed commitment to rebuilding bilateral ties between the two countries.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah conveyed the decision in a phone call  with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, relaying a directive from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, to lift the ban on Lebanese goods.
The decision was taken at the request of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Salam, and follows months of coordinated groundwork by specialized joint teams throughout the past year.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia cited the Lebanese government’s positive steps toward rebuilding state institutions, the cooperation extended by the Lebanese side, and the commitments made by Beirut as the basis for the Kingdom’s move.
During the call, Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty over its entire territory, and the well-being of its people. He also expressed confidence that Lebanon would take all necessary measures to ensure its soil is not used as a launchpad to harm any of its Arab neighbors.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed deep gratitude toward Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the decision, describing it as a sincere reflection of the deep fraternal bonds uniting the two nations.
President Aoun emphasized that the resumption of imports would have a tangible and positive impact on Lebanon’s national economy, particularly for producers and exporters who have long been cut off from one of the region’s most important markets.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the development with equally warm words, calling it a reflection of the trust Saudi Arabia has placed in Lebanon.
Salam added: “This decision embodies the Kingdom’s confidence in Lebanon and the shared commitment to strengthening economic and trade cooperation in the interest of both peoples.”
The resumption of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia comes amid a broader diplomatic thaw that gathered momentum earlier this year following President Aoun’s landmark first foreign visit to Riyadh in March, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and reaffirmed Beirut’s commitment to governance reform and state-building.
