In recent months, high-ranking officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have made significant diplomatic visits to Lebanon, signaling a potential renewal of strong historical ties. The most notable among these visits was by Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, who visited Beirut last Thursday-marking the first such visit in 15 years. These visits reflect the GCC’s support for Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun and his chosen prime minister, Nawaf Salam, a move that suggests Lebanon is pivoting away from its previous pro-Iran alignment.

During his visit, Prince Faisal emphasized the necessity of implementing long-overdue political and economic reforms, which had been stalled for more than two years due to Hezbollah’s entrenched influence. He stressed that enacting these reforms would bolster global confidence in Lebanon’s governance and economy. His statements were echoed by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi, both of whom visited Beirut shortly after Faisal’s trip. Kuwait, currently holding the rotating presidency of the GCC, has been a key player in efforts to rekindle the long-standing GCC-Lebanon relationship.

President Aoun, elected on January 9, pledged to prioritize strengthening Lebanon’s partnerships with the Gulf states. His commitment was underscored by his announcement that his first official foreign visit would be to Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Lebanon’s interest in revitalizing bilateral cooperation. At last week’s press conference, Aoun expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its role in ending Lebanon’s prolonged presidential crisis, a sentiment that highlights the GCC’s influential role in Lebanon’s political stabilization.

Lebanon’s ties with the GCC frayed over the past two decades, largely due to Hezbollah’s growing dominance in the country’s political and economic spheres. Hezbollah’s close ties to Iran dictated Lebanon’s foreign policy, leading to increasing tensions with Gulf states. Moreover, Hezbollah’s involvement in conflicts across the region-particularly in Syria, where it supported the Assad regime-aggravated diplomatic relations. Its backing of the Houthi rebels in Yemen further antagonized GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia, which has been locked in a prolonged struggle with the Iranian-backed Houthis.

The situation deteriorated during the presidency of Michel Aoun (2016-2022), a period when Hezbollah’s influence reached unprecedented levels. The Lebanese government, under Hezbollah’s sway, failed to curb the group’s illicit activities, including arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and organized crime. GCC citizens in Lebanon faced increasing threats, including kidnappings and attacks, leading Gulf states to warn their nationals against traveling to Lebanon. Furthermore, trade and investment from the Gulf, once a significant contributor to Lebanon’s economy, dwindled. The once-thriving tourism sector, heavily dependent on GCC visitors, collapsed under the weight of security concerns and political instability.

Despite these setbacks, the GCC remained concerned about Lebanon’s worsening economic and humanitarian crisis. The Gulf states recognized that the Lebanese people-many of whom oppose Hezbollah’s influence-were bearing the brunt of the country’s economic collapse. In 2022, the GCC initiated a framework to assist Lebanon, but Hezbollah’s obstructionist policies prevented meaningful progress. Now, with a new administration in place, the GCC sees an opportunity to restore its historical partnership with Lebanon, contingent on the country’s commitment to necessary reforms.

Restoring Lebanon’s partnership with the GCC will require substantial political, economic, and security reforms. To achieve this, several key steps must be taken:

Political Reconciliation and Reform: Lebanon’s various factions must engage in genuine dialogue to foster reconciliation. Completing the implementation of the Taif Accord, which was designed to end sectarian strife, would be a significant step toward political stability.

Strengthening State Authority: The Lebanese government must reassert control over its security and judicial institutions, ensuring that no non-state actors, including Hezbollah, wield unchecked power. The full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions that call for the disarmament of militias should be a priority.

Non-Interference in Regional Affairs: Lebanon should cease meddling in the internal affairs of neighboring states, particularly in conflicts involving GCC allies such as Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Likewise, foreign interference in Lebanon’s domestic politics must be curtailed.

Crackdown on Illicit Trade and Smuggling: Hezbollah’s extensive drug trafficking operations, which have flooded GCC markets with narcotics, must be dismantled. Strengthened border controls and international cooperation in law enforcement are essential to combating this issue.

Preventing Terrorism and Extremism: Lebanon must ensure that its territory is not used as a base for groups seeking to destabilize the region. The government should adopt robust counterterrorism measures to root out extremist networks.

Strengthening Lebanon’s Security Forces: International support for Lebanon’s military and police forces is critical to restoring security. Assistance from the GCC and Western allies can help train and equip Lebanese security personnel to maintain stability across the country.

Rebuilding Economic Ties with the GCC: Lebanon must work to restore trade, investment, and tourism from the Gulf. In 2004, Lebanon became the first country to sign a free trade agreement with the GCC, but economic relations have since withered. Revitalizing this partnership could provide a much-needed economic boost.

Tackling Corruption and Economic Reforms: Lebanon’s financial institutions require major restructuring to regain the trust of investors. The central bank, plagued by corruption scandals, must undergo transparency and accountability measures. Cooperation with international financial institutions is necessary to stabilize the economy.

Coordinating with International Donors: Lebanon should establish a mechanism to coordinate with international donors and investors to attract foreign direct investment. Creating a business-friendly environment with streamlined regulations will be crucial to attracting capital and fostering growth.

Establishing a GCC-Lebanon Coordination Framework: To ensure the continuity of these efforts, a structured framework should be set up to facilitate ongoing collaboration between Lebanon and the GCC across political, economic, and security domains.

The path to restoring Lebanon’s historical partnership with the GCC will not be without challenges. However, the recent diplomatic outreach and the election of a new, reform-minded leadership offer hope for a fresh start. The GCC has demonstrated its willingness to support Lebanon’s recovery, provided that the necessary reforms are enacted.

Additionally, for this renewed partnership to succeed, stability must be maintained on Lebanon’s southern border. The ongoing ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel must hold, as renewed conflict would undermine Lebanon’s political and economic progress.

The election of Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Nawaf Salam represent a significant departure from the past. Their leadership presents a rare opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim its standing in the region and repair its relationships with traditional allies. If Lebanon takes decisive steps toward reform, the GCC is prepared to reciprocate with economic assistance, investment, and security cooperation.

A new era is within Lebanon’s grasp. By embracing reform and reengaging with the GCC, Lebanon can set itself on a path toward stability, prosperity, and a brighter future for its people.

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