Saudi Arabia announced the resumption of Lebanese exports to the kingdom, following a phone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The decision was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in response to a request by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Salam, according to the agency.
It acknowledges recent steps by the Lebanese government to rebuild state institutions and progress made by the relevant teams over the past year, as well as Lebanon's cooperation in meeting required commitments, the report added. The import ban was initially imposed in April 2021 on Lebanese fruits and vegetables after Saudi authorities found that related shipping channels were being used for drug smuggling. The ban was later expanded to include all Lebanese goods in October 2021 following public remarks by Lebanese officials criticizing Saudi military operations against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Analysts said lifting the five-year ban marks an important step in restoring bilateral relations between Gulf countries and Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia announces resumption of imports from Lebanon
China is steadfastly expanding high-standard opening up and will continue to share development opportunities with other countries and deliver more certainty and stability to the world economy, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said on Thursday.
Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the Global Convergence for Growth Summit via video link at the invitation of the French government.
The four global initiatives put forward by the Chinese head of state provide guidance and impetus for promoting world peace and development, Zhang said.
Zhang called for prioritizing development, improving global governance and promoting inclusive growth of the world economy.
All countries should uphold openness and cooperation, take an objective view of the comparative advantages of different countries, foster a free and facilitative trading environment, and practice true multilateralism, he said.
The World Convergence Summit for Growth was hosted by France and chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as well as high-level representatives from the United States, Brazil, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, along with leaders of a European Union institution and the International Monetary Fund, were at the meeting.
China will continue to share development opportunities with other countries: vice premier
