Lebanon and Saudi Arabia work to improve relations, call for Israeli withdrawal

Lebanon’s president has ended a visit to Saudi Arabia where he discussed regional affairs with the kingdom’s crown prince. Both countries said Tuesday that Israeli troops should withdraw from south Lebanon and only the Lebanese state should have weapons. The visit by Joseph Aoun improves ties between the two countries that have been cold for years over Iran’s influence in Lebanon. The statement added that both sides agreed to study the obstacles facing the resumption of Lebanese imports to Saudi Arabia and measures needed to allow Saudi citizens to visit Lebanon. They agreed that the Lebanese economy should come out of its historic crisis and that Beirut should implement reforms.