Lebanese Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia

The Saudi ambassador in Beirut, Ahmad al-Kuheimi, has announced that Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss will visit Saudi Arabia at a date no later than Sunday.

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss told the London-based al-Hayat daily news on the visit, which is the first after he assumed office. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, expected on Sunday, February 7, al-Hoss will meet with the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and high-ranking Saudi officials and talks will center on bilateral relations, the situation in the region and Lebanon and will not tackle financial matters, according to al-Kuheimi.

Al-Hoss told al-Hayat that he will brief King Fahd and Saudi officials on developments concerning the escalated Israeli attacks against Lebanon and Lebanon's position toward liberating the territories and the peace process.

Al-Hoss added that he will also debate the policies of the new Lebanese government on all levels, especially political, economic and developmental.

Al-Hoss added that he will discuss in Saudi Arabia "Arab atmospheres and the need to adhere to Arab solidarity in confrontation of the challenges of the current phase, especially as Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in this respect."

The Lebanese Premier asserted that he will also "concentrate on the good relations linking the two countries on various levels." He explained: "I would seize the chance to explain to Saudi officials and businessmen the good investment atmosphere in Lebanon."