After closing a deal for the UAE to buy 80 Rafale fighter jets from France, Macron flew from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
During their meeting, the two discussed the diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and it appears that the gift of Kordahi’s resignation has somewhat appeased the Saudis.
Bin Salman called Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and spoke to him about turning a new leaf between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, yet stipulated this on several reforms that were hinted at in a French-Saudi joint statement.
The interesting part of the statement deals with “weaponry that is not held by the government”, referring to weaponry held by Hezbollah, without naming the organization explicitly.
The Saudis are putting economic pressure on Lebanon in a manner that is good for Israel and also comes at strategic timing.
