Saudi Delegation Leaves Beirut Without Touching on Halted Arms Grant

A Saudi delegation that arrived in Lebanon on Monday traveled back to Saudi Arabia overnight after holding talks with senior officials and congratulating President Michel Aoun on his election.

Contrary to what reports have anticipated, the delegation which included Mecca Governor Prince Khaled al-Faisal and Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani, flew from Beirut without touching with officials on the reactivation of a halted Saudi grant for the Lebanese army, media reports said Tuesday.

The envoy met with senior officials and conveyed two letters to Aoun from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. The first contained congratulations on his election as president of the republic and the second contained an invitation to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Discussions did not touch on the halted Saudi grant for the Lebanese army, reports said.

The Saudi delegation held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.

In February 2016 Saudi Arabia halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hizbullah's policies and diplomatic stances by the Lebanese foreign ministry.

The $3 billion program financed military equipment provided by France.