GCC chief and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister in Beirut as Gulf leaders continue visits to Lebanon

Trip comes a day after Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited the country

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Yahya meets Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda on Friday. Reuters

The head of the Gulf Co-operation Council and Kuwait's Foreign Minister arrived in Beirut on Friday, becoming the latest in a line of senior Gulf officials to visit Lebanon's new leaders.

Abdullah Al Yahya met President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon's official National News Agency said. Mr Aoun told the Kuwaiti minister that, when a Lebanese cabinet is formed, communication "to lay new foundations for co-operation" with Gulf countries would intensify.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi arrived at Beirut's airport at dawn. It followed a high-profile visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday, the most senior official from Riyadh to go to Lebanon in 15 years.

Prince Faisal offered cautious optimism for Lebanon, saying he was confident Mr Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam could "initiate reforms necessary to bolster Lebanon's security, stability and unity".

There is renewed optimism in Lebanon after the election of Mr Aoun and the designation of Mr Salam to lead the next government. Both men are seen as being apart from the country's entrenched ruling classes, who are accused of causing problems through mismanagement. Neither Mr Aoun or Mr Salam were Hezbollah's choices for the roles.

Gulf countries used to be important financial supporters of Lebanon, but withdrew amid Iran-backed Hezbollah's increasing sway over affairs in the country.

But with Hezbollah's influence diminished and hope growing in Lebanon of a brighter future, Gulf countries have shown signs they are interested in re-engaging. The UAE recently announced it would reopen its Lebanese embassy, which had been closed for three years.