Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for the first formal visit by a Lebanese head of state in many years.
Mr Aoun's new government, largely comprising technocrat ministers responsible for repairing the economy, is looking to mend relations with the Gulf states following years of political turmoil.
Mr Aoun, who was appointed in January, is expected to meet senior Emirati leaders and explore ways to boost ties. About 150,000 Lebanese live in the UAE, and many make up the managerial backbone of the private sector.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Dr Ghassan Salamé, Lebanon's Culture Minister on Wednesday, before Mr Aoun's visit.
They discussed ways to enhance mutual interests as well as touching on opportunities to build on ties in the creative and cultural sector, reported state news agency Wam
Last week, Saqr Ghobash, speaker of the Federal National Council, visited Beirut and met Mr Aoun. It marked the first visit by a senior Emirati official in years.
The UAE and most of the Gulf states effectively prohibit their citizens from visiting Lebanon on security grounds, a decision Lebanon's government will be keen to change.
Mr Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both seen as newcomers and a break from Lebanon’s entrenched political class, have made restoring ties with Gulf states a high foreign policy priority, after years of strained relations driven by Hezbollah’s dominance and Iran’s long reach into Beirut’s political affairs.
Mr Aoun’s first official trip abroad was to Saudi Arabia in March. He visited Qatar on April 16. His commitment to sovereignty and political reforms has been welcomed by GCC states looking for a more neutral and stable Lebanese leadership.
Hezbollah weakened
The diplomatic push comes as Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanese politics has weakened, following its heavy losses in the year-long war with Israel and the collapse of its Syrian ally, Bashar Al Assad, who fled Damascus in December. Mr Al Assad’s removal severed a critical supply route for the armed group, further undermining its military and logistical capabilities.
Lebanon is under pressure to disarm Hezbollah and reassert full state sovereignty. Mr Aoun has repeatedly said the decision to centralise arms under state authority has been taken, but says this can only be achieved through dialogue rather than force.
Financial crisis
The country remains mired in a financial crisis that began in 2019 and was worsened by the war with Israel, leaving it in urgent need of foreign assistance. This month, Lebanon passed banking reforms demanded by the IMF and secured a $250 million World Bank loan to ease its electricity crisis – signs of a leadership trying to rebuild trust abroad while stabilising conditions at home.
Mr Aoun was elected President in January, filling a position that had been vacant for more than two years.
President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Mr Aoun at the time, wishing him “success in leading his country and its people to further stability, development and progress”. He also said he looked forward to working with Mr Aoun to strengthen co-operation between the UAE and Lebanon.
Shortly after Mr Aoun visited Saudi Arabia in March, the UAE announced that its embassy in Lebanon's capital Beirut, had officially resumed diplomatic activities.
