Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri confirmed on Monday that the kingdom will always be the best destination for Lebanese businessmen, assuring that it will keep its doors open for them and for their investments.

“The kingdom was and will remain the best destination for Lebanese businessmen. It will keep its doors open,” Asiri told Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Magazine in an interview.

The primary objective for the visit of Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri to Beirut last week is a farewell to Lebanese officials away from any mediations on the presidential elections and to pave the way for the appointment of his successor, official sources told al-Akhbar daily on Friday.

Last week, Asiri arrived in Lebanon with his family where he stressed that “Saudi Arabia did not and will not meddle in Lebanese affairs,” in reference to the stalled presidential elections.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri arrived in Lebanon with his family on Friday afternoon to resume his diplomatic duties, but denied that his return is linked to the upcoming presidential vote.

"The Kingdom did not and will not meddle in Lebanese affairs,” Assiri told the state-run National News Agency in his first statement after returning to the country.

Conflicting reports emerged on Wednesday over whether President Michel Suleiman was aware that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri would be present during his meeting with Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh.

According to As Safir newspaper, Suleiman wasn't informed about Hariri's participation, wondering in a report about the aim of such a move by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri urged on Tuesday officials to safeguard Lebanon and avert any negative repercussions imposed by the turmoil in the neighboring country Syria.

“Lebanon and the region are passing through a delicate situation caused by the developments in Syria,” the ambassador said in an interview with As Safir newspaper.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri confirmed on Sunday that his country urged Saudi national present in Lebanon to comply with the Gulf Cooperation Council decision.

“The embassy called in text messages on Saudi citizens in Lebanon to abide by the GCC decision to inform them of Saudi concerns over their security and safety,” Asiri said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

A dinner banquet for current and former premiers will be held on Friday night at the residence of Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri, al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper published on Thursday, the dinner banquet is the first-of-its-kind to be hosted by the ambassador.

Top Saudi officials have expressed their keenness on Lebanon and have encouraged continued cooperation among its different factions to preserve civil peace, Saudi Ambassador to Beirut Ali Awad Assiri said Friday.

Assiri denied that the officials discussed with Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who was in Riyadh last week to attend the third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, the controversial electoral draft-law.

Saudi Arabia will grant visas to Syrians wishing to perform the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, set to begin next week, the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon said on Wednesday.

Riyadh, a bastion of Sunni Islam, has been one of the staunchest supporters of the revolt against Syria's President Bashar Assad. The majority of Syria's population is Sunni, while the regime is dominated by Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri said Friday that Saudi King Abdullah encourages Lebanese national dialogue.

Following his meeting with President Michel Suleiman, Asiri conveyed King Abdullah’s keenness on the “fraternal and historical relationship with Lebanon and all its groups and sects,” National News Agency reported.