Saudi Arabia is quietly reasserting itself in Lebanon’s political file, amid renewed regional interest in stabilising the country’s fragile institutions and restoring state sovereignty.
Last week, Riyadh dispatched its envoy to Lebanon, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, for high-level meetings with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri – all held behind closed doors.
The unannounced visit aimed to prepare the ground for US envoy Thomas Barrack’s arrival in Beirut, according to Lebanese sources.
Mr Barrack landed in the Lebanese capital on Monday to seek the government’s response to a US proposal to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Speaking at a press conference at the presidential palace south-east of Beirut, Mr Barrack said he would study a seven-page reply from Lebanese authorities.
“What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time and a very complicated manner,” he told reporters.
Mr Barrack’s visit came amid fears that Hezbollah’s refusal to immediately disarm could reignite the war with Israel after a shaky ceasefire agreement went into effect in November.
Last month, Mr Barrack gave Lebanese officials a proposal that aims to disarm Hezbollah and move on with some economic reforms to get Lebanon out of its nearly six-year economic crisis, the worst in its modern history.
“Both the Saudis and Americans are aligned on Lebanon’s future and believe there is a genuine opportunity that must be seized,” said one of the sources.
Prince Yazid urged Lebanese officials to “adhere to international expectations”, the source added, warning of the consequences of inaction. The Saudi envoy's message mirrored the alignment between Riyadh and Washington, particularly on the conditionality of aid and the need to curtail Hezbollah’s parallel military power.
The National sought comment from the Saudi side but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Mr Barrack said US President Donald Trump is ready to help Lebanon change and “if you don’t want change, it’s no problem. The rest of the region is moving at high speed”, he said.
The US plan ties reconstruction aid and a halt to Israeli army operations to Hezbollah’s full disarmament around the country. Since the US-brokered ceasefire took hold, the armed group has pulled back almost all of its troops from the Israeli border, though Israel insists it must be disarmed nationwide.
Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues to bomb southern Lebanon almost daily and maintains control over five military posts along the southern border. It has also occasionally targeted Beirut's southern suburbs and the Beqaa Valley since the ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia’s renewed engagement
Saudi Arabia’s re-engagement marks a shift after years of diplomatic distance, prompted by Iran’s growing influence in Lebanon through its support for Hezbollah. Once described as a “state within a state”, Hezbollah’s power has been diminished following the year-long war with Israel that left the group militarily weakened.
The first clear sign of Riyadh’s return to Lebanon’s political scene came earlier this year, when Saudi backing was instrumental in ending a two-year presidential vacuum. At the centre of that push was Prince Yazid, who conducted several rounds of shuttle diplomacy and talks with Lebanese factions in the lead-up to Mr Aoun’s election.
Mr Aoun chose Riyadh for his first official foreign visit, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Lebanon, battered by war and economic collapse, is in urgent need of Arab and international support to begin reconstruction and revive its shattered economy.
Yet Saudi Arabia remains cautious. Observers describe its stance as “engaged but conditional” – interested in Lebanon’s stability but maintaining a wait-and-see approach, with financial assistance contingent on concrete reforms.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
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Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
