PM Mikati meets Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Monday evening with Lebanese PM Najib Mikati at his residence in Riyadh, where they discussed the historical relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia on all levels and the necessity of developing these relations, as well as the general situation in the region and how to prevent its repercussions from affecting Lebanon.          

In this context, the Saudi Crown Prince stressed that Lebanon must preserve the values of coexistence and openness which are considered as its “humanitarian wealth.”                   

For his part, Mikati delivered Lebanon’s speech at the closed session of the Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit, noting that this summit is held amid critical and unsafe economic and political conditions for the Arab states and people, given the deep changes witnessed by a number of countries.                      

“The link between the economy and peace is an obvious matter, which is why we must seek to restore a just and comprehensive peace that contributes to the achievement of economic prosperity and a decent future for the coming generations,” Mikati added, stressing that the key for peace in the region is resolving the Palestinian issue.                 

On the other hand, he noted that regional stability also depends on ending the bloodshed in Syria, and preventing its repercussions from influencing neighboring countries.