Saudi foreign minister calls on Israel to withdraw completely from Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has made a rare visit to Lebanon, his first in a decade, following the country’s long-overdue election of a president and appointment of a prime minister.

Faisal bin Farhan expressed confidence in Lebanon’s new leadership, saying they could “implement necessary reforms” to bring stability and unity to the crisis-hit nation.

Bin Farhan reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for the US-brokered ceasefire that ended Israel’s war on Lebanon and demanded the “full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces” from Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah has warned that Israel’s apparent attempt to extend its military presence beyond the ceasefire deadline is “unacceptable”.