Lebanese-Saudi relations normal: President Aoun

By Wassim Samih Seifeddine and Hamdi Yildiz

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Friday stressed his country’s stable relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Aoun made the assertion while receiving members of the Lebanese-Saudi Business Council in Beirut.

“Indeed, something happened earlier, but we passed through it together,” the president said, referring to recent tensions between the two countries.

Aoun also said that Beirut maintains “good relations” with the other Arab Gulf States.

“We are open to any kind of cooperation,” he asserted.

Last November, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri -- during a visit to Saudi Arabia -- abruptly announced his resignation from the premiership.

Upon his return to Beirut, however, he revoked the resignation, prompting speculation that the Saudi leadership had pressured him to step down.

Saudi officials also accused Hezbollah, which maintains a presence in Hariri’s government, of serving as a proxy force for Shia Iran -- the arch-foe of the oil-rich kingdom.