Saudi envoy makes 'discreet' visit to Beirut, discusses Hezbollah weapons

Saudi Arabia's envoy to Lebanon, Yazid Bin Farhan, held a discreet meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun late on Sunday, during which they discussed the issue of the "monopoly of weapons" by the Lebanese state, local media reported on Monday.

The meeting, which took place in the presidential palace in Baabda, was not reported by the official news agencies in either country.

According to Lebanese daily L'Orient-Le Jour (OLJ), the meeting was "discreet" and addressed pressing issues, including the arsenal of Hezbollah, Lebanon's relations with Syria, and stalled domestic reforms.

Citing a source close to the presidency, OLJ said the meeting touched on several issues, including Hezbollah's weapons, the normalisation of ties with Damascus, and "the authority of the state over the entire territory".

Bin Farhan is also expected to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam later on Monday, after the premier returns from Damascus.

"Riyadh has played a leading role in Beirut-Damascus ties in recent weeks, and Mr Salam’s visit to Syria was in fact given the green light by Saudi Arabia," the outlet reported.

"Saudi Arabia has regained interest in Lebanon after years of distance, due in part to the prominent role Hezbollah used to play on the Lebanese political scene," it added.

It also recalled Salam's recent visit to Riyadh, where he attended Eid al-Fitr prayers in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During that visit, "the question of Syria had been discussed, notably within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stability between the two states, border demarcation, and the fight against smuggling," it said.

The latest reported visit came as Saudi Arabia re-engaged with Lebanon after years of strained ties. Relations deteriorated sharply in recent years over Hezbollah's dominance in Lebanese politics and Beirut's perceived alignment with Iran.

Riyadh had largely withdrawn diplomatic and financial support, but the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Salam and Hezbollah's weakened position after its latest war with Israel, has paved the way for a cautious diplomatic thaw.