LEBANON - Saudi Foreign Minister Visits
Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat visited Lebanon for the first time in a decade following years of strained relations between the oil-rich kingdom and the small Mediterranean country.
Lebanon elected its first president in over two years and appointed a new prime minister. The ascension of both army chief General Joseph Aoun as president, as well as diplomat and former head of the International Criminal Court Nawaf Salam as prime minister-elect, are both seen as major blows to the Hezbollah group.
Saudi Arabia banned imports coming from Lebanese, which compounded economic pain for Lebanese farmers and industrialists as the country was in the throes of an economic crisis that crippled its banks and pulled many in poverty. Lebanese authorities have since unsuccessfully tried to convince Saudi Arabia to reverse the ban.
It’s a critical time for the country, which is mired in an economic crisis, but needs billions to rebuild dozens of towns and villages battered by war.
-abcnews.go.com, 23 January 2025
Arno's Commentary
For the nation that is the home of Hezbollah, the visit by the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia is supremely significant. Saudi Arabia is considered the leader of the Arab world. While the average GDP per capita for the world stands at $13,900, Arab nations are way below at only $1,689. Lebanon is also below the world average with only $11,794 per capita GDP, compared to Saudi Arabia’s $68,453.
Lebanon’s population stands at 5.4 million, of which about 30% follow the Christian religion. Life expectancy is relatively high at 79.2 years.
Any and all improved relations with Saudi Arabia can only be a positive event.
It is of interest that only on 10 March 2023 did the countries announce the resumption of diplomatic relations, which was brokered by none other than China. The deal was struck in Beijing by Iranian and Saudi officials.
Non-religious, communist China becomes the peace broker between two diverse nations. Although both are Islamic states, Iran is overwhelmingly Shia Muslim, while Saudi Arabia is almost entirely Sunni Muslim and is the “home of Islam,” where the prophet of Islam lived and carried out his mission.
What becomes clearer is China’s influence in the Islamic world.
One must also keep in mind that China is the ultimate leader when it comes to global manufacturing; they dominate with 31.2% of global output (USA is 16.3%).
The Bible mentions the country of Lebanon 71 times, and only in the Old Testament. For the first time, we read of it in Deuteronomy 1:7: “Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” We note that the Euphrates is the northernmost border of Israel. The last time Lebanon is mentioned is Zechariah 11:1: “Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.”
Lebanon most certainly had its share of wars against Israel, way back in history and in modern times.
Two things are developing in the Middle East: 1) Slowly but surely, a spirit of peace will cover the Middle East countries. 2) Peace (of any kind) is a prerequisite for the coming of the world ruler.
But there is a future: “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:13-14).
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
