Saudi Arabia sends ambassador back to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday it would send its ambassador back to Lebanon after a diplomatic spat last year. State media reported that the kingdom made the decision after the calls and appeals of the moderate national political forces in Lebanon.

The kingdom also said Lebanon had agreed to stop all political, military and security activities affecting it and other Gulf Arab nations. Lebanese Prime Minister welcomed the Saudi decision.

Saudi Arabia withdrew its ambassador in 2021 after the Lebanese information minister at the time described the war in Yemen as an aggression by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Relations have been strained over growing Iranian influence in the small nation, where Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a powerful ally.