BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed Saudi Ambassador Walid Al-Bukhari along with a delegation from the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid at his residence today. The meeting underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Lebanon during its current humanitarian crisis, initiating an air bridge to bolster relief efforts.
According to National News Agency-Lebanon, the gathering included key figures such as Fahd Al-Osaimi from the King Salman Center, Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin, and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Relief Commission, Major General Mohammad Khair. During the meeting, Prime Minister Mikati expressed his gratitude towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its steadfast support and the initiation of the air bridge, which marks a significant step in providing timely aid to the Lebanese people.
“The arrival of the first plane marks the beginning of an air bridge of aid, addressing the crisis from a humanitarian standpoint,” Mikati said. He acknowledged
the detailed plan shared by Ambassador Al-Bukhari for the upcoming ten days, which outlines the continuation of support through additional aid flights.
Ambassador Al-Bukhari reiterated the Kingdom’s dedication to the Lebanese people, emphasizing that the relief support represents a continuation of the solidarity march with Lebanon, inspired by authentic Arab brotherhood and the principles of Islam. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will spare no effort in providing all necessary assistance to the Lebanese people, especially under these challenging circumstances,” Al-Bukhari stated.
He further assured that the team from the King Salman Center is ready to assist in distributing the aid effectively, with high standards of assistance and transparency in place. Specialized work teams are set to commence operations in the coming hours to ensure the efficient allocation of the humanitarian aid.