Hezbollah’s Lebanon role may block Saudi military aid

Significance

These reports follow the visit of the new Lebanese president, Michel Aoun, who made the first foreign trip of his presidency to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on January 9-11. Saudi-Lebanese relations, formerly close, have been frozen since Riyadh cancelled 3 billion dollars of military aid in February 2016.

Impacts

• Lebanon’s economy could see a significant upturn in the coming months as a result of the opening.
• Oger, the troubled company of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, could regain Saudi government backing.
• If Saudi assistance is not renewed, Iran could begin to provide military support for the Lebanese army.
• Difficulties agreeing a new electoral law are likely to cause a postponement of parliamentary polls.