Mikati, UAE leader agree to reopen embassy, ease visas

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has met in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his wishes for Lebanon to “enjoy stability, security, and prosperity and achieve development that meets the aspirations of its people,” UAE’s state news agency WAM reported.

The two sides also discussed the relations between the two countries and ways to enhance ties in various fields, including development and economy, to “serve the interests of both countries,” the agency said.

“Both sides discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and efforts to identify solutions to current challenges. The two sides also agreed to take the necessary steps to reopen the UAE Embassy in Beirut and establish a joint committee to develop a mechanism to facilitate the issuance of entry visas for Lebanese citizens to the UAE,” the agency added.

Moreover, Mikati and Sheikh Mohamed also “exchanged views on various Arab and international issues,” with the UAE leader emphasizing “the strength of relations binding the UAE and Lebanon” and noting that the UAE “has continued to stand by the Lebanese people since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”