US, KSA say Lebanon shouldn't be launchpad for threatening regional stability

The United States and Saudi Arabia have affirmed their “continued support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability,” in a joint statement issued after a meeting in Jeddah between U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The two sides also stressed their support for “the Lebanese Armed Forces that protect its borders and resist the threats of violent extremist and terrorist groups.”

They also noted the importance of “forming a Lebanese government and implementing comprehensive structural political and economic reforms to ensure that Lebanon overcomes its political and economic crisis, and that it does not become a launching point for terrorists, drug smuggling, or other criminal activities that threatens the stability and security of the region.”

Moreover, they emphasized the importance of “the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory, including with reference to fulfilling the provisions of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and the Taif Accord, and for it to exercise full sovereignty, so there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon or authority other than that of the government of Lebanon.”