KSA Considers Lifting Lebanon Travel Ban Just in Time for Eid Al-Adha
Saudi Arabia plans to remove the restrictions on its citizens traveling to Lebanon starting from the first day of Eid al-Adha, anticipated to fall on June 6, according to a report by Al-Jadeed TV on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, LBCI Television reported that "a specialized technical committee from Saudi Arabia plans to visit Lebanon in the upcoming weeks to examine the challenges hindering the travel of Saudi tourists and to develop suitable measures to address these issues."
On Wednesday, two Emirates passenger aircraft touched down at the Rafik Hariri International Airport following the lifting of the UAE’s travel restrictions on Lebanon.
The Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan reported on Tuesday that following the United Arab Emirates' decision to allow its citizens to visit Lebanon, other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council are likely to adopt similar measures in the coming months.
"Extensive discussions are taking place with political and security authorities, including an upcoming meeting where Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will meet with GCC ambassadors today (Tuesday). This gathering aims to outline the steps Lebanon has implemented at the airport, around its perimeter, and along the route leading up to it. The intention is to provide reassurance to these nations prior to their decision-making process regarding the potential removal of travel bans," according to a "well-informed source" cited by the newspaper.
In 2021, following criticism of the Riyadh-led military operation in Yemen by a Lebanese minister, the United Arab Emirates implemented a travel ban and recalled its diplomats from Beirut to show support for Saudi Arabia.
Relations between Beirut and the Gulf states have deteriorated over the last ten years due to Hezbollah's impact on Lebanon.
However, as the group has been weakened by its latest conflict with Israel, multiple Gulf nations have shown increased interest in Lebanon once again.
In March, Saudi Arabia announced it would reconsider the "barriers" to reinstating Lebanese goods imports and lift the prohibition on its residents traveling to Lebanon. This decision came after President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the country.
