UAE Ends Lebanon Travel Ban, Hariri 'Very Optimistic' about Further Support

W460

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday announced that he was “very optimistic” regarding expected Emirati support for Lebanon, after he held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and took part in the second UAE-Lebanon Investment Forum.

“My visit to Abu Dhabi made me very optimistic and I thank Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan for his support,” Hariri told reporters.

“The Lebanese media is waiting for me to announce an initiative, but I will leave this matter to the Emirati state. Many rumors will be spread, but thank God the atmosphere is very good,” Hariri added.

He had earlier suggested that an Emirati initiative to support Lebanon was a matter of a few hours.

“God willing, there will be good news today,” Hariri had said.

Speaking in the evening, the premier said the Emirati-Lebanese higher committee “will soon convene in Lebanon” after which “many agreements” will be signed.

A statement issued by Hariri’s office said the two leaders “discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region and the bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Later on Monday, the UAE announced that it will allow its citizens to travel to Lebanon as of Tuesday.

Emiratis had been banned from traveling to Lebanon over kidnapping fears amid neighboring Syria's civil war. The UAE also opposes Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hizbullah.

Hariri earlier visited the Martyrs’ Memorial (Wahat Al Karama), with the Lebanese delegation, where he laid a wreath.

At the end of the tour, Hariri wrote in the visitors’ book: “We pay homage to the sacrifices of the heroes of the UAE Armed Forces, who have given their lives to this beloved country and defended the safety of its dear people and Arabism as a whole. May God have mercy on your righteous martyrs.”

Hariri had earlier in the day taken part in the UAE-Lebanon Investment Forum.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 2
Missing thatisit 07 October 2019, 20:09

It is all what our PM can do these days - go around begging for money and then promise the lebs good news. He's been getting quite effective at this task and it's about the only thing that he can do right besides meeting with his buddy bassil the corrupt.

Thumb doodle-dude 08 October 2019, 01:11

UAE nationals will now flock in droves to Lebanon to penetrate blablablablablabla's deep and wide luv tunnel and deposit their male lubricants inside it thus bringing with them much need hard currency.