Lebanon sees a potential opening for investment and trade support from Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh welcomed Beirut’s recent actions to curb drug smuggling amid ongoing political turmoil and economic crisis
For Lebanon, mired in an economic crisis, banking crisis and political instability, regaining access to the Saudi market, one of its most important traditional export destinations, offers a moment of hope for productive sectors and the investment climate in the country, as Riyadh has now openly announced its readiness to re-engage economically with Lebanon.
A senior Saudi official told Reuters that the kingdom intends to strengthen trade relations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” after Lebanese authorities demonstrated sufficient progress in reducing smuggling operations in recent months.
This reflects a shift in Riyadh’s approach towards the country, from caution and security-based conditions toward gradually reopening doors to economic cooperation.
As Lebanon is also preparing to welcome the “Beirut One” investment conference scheduled from 18 to 19 November, which is being framed by the Lebanese government as a key moment for Arab and diaspora re-engagement, Saudi participation in the conference is particularly important after a long disconnection with the country following the ban on many Lebanese imports due to the smuggling of drugs.
A Saudi delegation is expected to visit Lebanon, however, despite this move, it still has a main political and security demand on wanting progress on disarming Hezbollah.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the Saudi initiative, saying it reflects Riyadh’s longstanding support for Lebanon and recognition of recent government efforts to prevent its territory from being used to threaten Arab states.
Reopening the Saudi market would also revive Lebanon’s struggling agriculture sector, as the Kingdom has halted imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in April 2021 after authorities seized five million Captagon pills hidden in a shipment of Lebanese produce.
Although other Gulf countries did not impose similar bans, the move was a major blow to Lebanon’s agricultural exporters, as Saudi Arabia serves as the main transit hub for goods heading to the wider Gulf, effectively cutting off access and cutting the much-needed revenue for Lebanon. This forced exporters to rely on costly sea freight which was unsuitable for fresh produce that loses quality during long shipping times.
According to sources in the sector, exporters are ready to fully cooperate to ensure product quality and protect Lebanon’s agricultural reputation.
Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said renewed talk of Saudi Arabia reopening its market to Lebanese agricultural products highlights what has been a major economic loss for the sector since trade restrictions were imposed.
Hani said Saudi Arabia was historically the “main artery” for Lebanese agricultural exports, and that restoring access would bring stability to a sector that depends heavily on Gulf markets.
According to Agriculture Ministry data, before 2020, 45 per cent of Lebanon’s agricultural exports were destined for Gulf countries, highlighting the potential impact of renewed Saudi openness in recent days.
President Joseph Aoun said the announcement comes at the right moment, reiterating that “Lebanon’s protection comes from its Arab surroundings.”
In Lebanon:
Wildfires rage across multiple regions in Lebanon: Hectares of forests are threatened by Lebanon’s wildfires where multiple of videos were shared across social media praising firefighters for their efforts despite water shortages and difficulty in roads and full equipment. Experts have cited that delayed-rainfall, drought and above-average temperatures are major factors behind the fires and in the South Israeli strikes are directly igniting blazes in the forests. Southern Lebanon’s forests are already under climate pressure but Israeli airstrikes and unexploded bombs worsen the wildfires whilst hampering the efforts of firefighters.
Beirut Bar Association elections: Over 4,600 lawyers cast their votes on November 16, which was a record turnout. Imad Martinos, backed by the Lebanese Forces, won the presidency of the Beirut Bar Association with 2,436 votes, defeating his rival Elie Bazzerli, who received 2,042 votes. He had vowed to be “a president of action and transparency,” and promised monthly, not annual, by financial disclosures. He pledged to restore the Bar as “the conscience of the nation and a loud voice, not a silent one.”
Debates remain around diaspora voting rights in the upcoming May Parliamentary elections: More than 51,500 Lebanese expatriates have registered as Foreign and Interior Ministries have urged the diaspora to complete registration with a deadline set for 20 November. According to figures from local research firm Information International, Lebanon’s total population stands at around 5.5 million, including 1.35 million Lebanese expatriates eligible to vote from abroad.
French President’s political adviser visits President Aoun: Anne-Claire Legendre, the political adviser on North Africa and the Middle East to French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Joseph Aoun in Baabda on Thursday. Aoun stressed that the Lebanese Army cannot fully deploy South of the Litani River up to the international border due to the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, ongoing hostilities, and the failure to implement the agreement announced in November 2024. Aoun also said that “moral support alone” is not enough to enable the Lebanese Army to fully carry out its mission. He stressed that the army urgently needs equipment and military vehicles, adding that these should be secured through the upcoming conference to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, which France is organizing in coordination with the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon under increasing pressure by US to crackdown on Hezbollah funding: A senior U.S. delegation has pressed Lebanese authorities to take decisive steps to curb Hezbollah’s funding channels from Iran, according to officials briefed on the talks. The delegation emphasized the need to crack down on Lebanon’s cash-based economy and specifically called for the closure of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, the Hezbollah-run financial institution already under U.S. sanctions. Speaking to Media outlets at the U.S Embassy of Beirut, John Hurley, Secretary of the Treasury of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said, “the key to helping the Lebanese people reclaim their country lies in ending Iran’s malign influence through Hezbollah.” The visit comes as Washington continues to pressure Beirut to stem Hezbollah’s financing and block Iranian funds, alongside ongoing efforts to curb the group’s military capabilities.
Lebanon to file complaint over Israeli border wall: Lebanon announced Saturday plans to file a complaint with the UN Security Council against Israel for building a concrete wall along the southern border that crosses the Blue Line. President Joseph Aoun said the wall and Israel’s ongoing presence in Lebanese territory violate UN Resolution 1701. The blue line, drawn by the UN, separates Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. On Friday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that a concrete wall built by the Israeli army is preventing residents from accessing more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory. UNIFEL has informed the Israeli army of its findings and requested the wall’s removal.
UNIFIL forces in Lebanon targeted by Israeli fire: UNIFIL said on Sunday that an Israeli tank fired on its troops in Southern Lebanon, where Israel continues to hold positions despite the ceasefire. In a statement, UNIFIL said a Merkava tank of the Israeli Defense Forces fired heavy machine-gun rounds at peacekeepers near an Israeli position inside Lebanese territory. The bullets struck within five meters of the troops, who were on foot and had to take cover. UNIFIL reported that it immediately contacted the Israeli army to cease fire, and no peacekeepers were injured. After about thirty minutes, the tank withdrew back into the Israeli position, allowing the UN forces to leave the area safely.
In The Region
Syria joins US-Led coalition against ISIS, marking a historic shift: The US-led coalition against ISIS announced that Syria has officially joined the alliance, becoming the 90th country committed to combating terrorism. The coalition said Syria’s membership marks a pivotal step in regional cooperation and strengthens efforts to ensure the permanent defeat of ISIS. This marks a historic movement as Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was once designated a terrorist by the U.S, is now involved in diplomatic relations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit the United States: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives in Washington on Tuesday, 18th November, for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, a meeting expected to focus on strengthening long-standing cooperation in energy and security, while expanding partnerships in trade, technology, and possibly nuclear development.
What we’re reading
“Hezbollah’s Assassination Machine: What the Killing of Elias al-Hasrouni and Lokman Slim Really Tells Us”: In his opinion piece, Makram Rabbah, NOW’s managing editor, argues that the recent disclosures by the Israeli Army that Hezbollah’s Unit 121 was behind the assassination of Elias al-Hasrouni (a Lebanese forces figure) in August 2023 confirm the long-standing but under-spoken truth. According to Rabah, this was not a random act, it was a highly planned operation, as the organization has used political elimination as a pillar of its strategy since the day it was formed. He argues that the killings of (Elias Hasrouni, Rafic Hariri, Lokman Slim) are not isolated events, either.
“Our silence is violence too”: In her opinion piece, Heba El Hakeem, a Lebanese writer, responds to a recent statement by a Druze religious leader, Sheikh Sami Abilmona, who said that “some family violence might be positive”. She argues that such public endorsements of violence are deeply dangerous as they risk normalising abuse and silencing survivors. She also argues that gender-based violence isn’t just “a woman’s issue”: it’s a national crisis that implicates institutions, political leadership, and society at large.
“A Visit of Peace: Lebanon Awaits the Pope Amid Time of Uncertainty”: In her analysis piece, Rodayna Raydan, a journalist at NOW highlights that Pope Leo XIV’S upcoming trip to Lebanon (November 30 – December 2, 20205) is deeply symbolic as it is one of his first international visits, and choosing Lebanon amid the country’s political, economic and social crisis sends a strong moral message whilst creating a rare moment of national unity amid sectarian and political divides.
