Oryx Observer has learned from its own sources that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan is set to visit Lebanon in the coming days for talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Saudi Arabia appears to be seeking to repair its relationship with Lebanon after years of strained ties that deepened following Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to power. During that period, Lebanon was subjected to a series of punitive Saudi measures, including efforts to encourage Gulf states to downgrade or sever relations with Beirut, a ban on Lebanese imports entering the Saudi market, and restrictions preventing Saudi citizens from travelling to Lebanon.

The kingdom has also suffered a series of setbacks across several fronts in the Arab world, prompting what appears to be a broader reassessment of its regional approach. Riyadh now seems to recognise that many of its previous policies proved counterproductive, contributing to a loss of influence across parts of the Arab world.

Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia appears to be embarking on a process of rebuilding strained relationships, with Lebanon likely to be the starting point of that effort.