RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait have announced a return of their ambassadors to Lebanon in a sign of improving ties that hit rock bottom last year when the kingdom and other Persian Gulf states withdrew their envoys.
Saudi Arabia and fellow wealthy Persian Gulf states were once major donors for Lebanon but relations have been strained for years.
The Saudi foreign ministry said its ambassador returned in response to calls by Lebanese political forces and Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
The Saudi statement on state news agency SPA stressed the importance of Lebanon “returning to its Arab depth”.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry issued a similar statement. Mikati’s office said Kuwait’s envoy would return before the end of the week.
Mikati, in a Twitter post welcoming the move, said Lebanon was “proud of its Arab affiliation and upholds the best relations with Persian Gulf states”, describing them as pillars of support.
The Persian Gulf rift has added to the difficulties facing Lebanon as it struggles with a financial crisis that the World Bank has described as one of the sharpest depressions ever recorded.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had reached a draft funding agreement with Lebanon – but that Beirut needed to enact a batch of economic reforms first before its board decided whether to approve the deal.
Souring ties had hit new lows last October after a former Lebanese information minister criticized the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen.