Saudi Arabia lifts five-year ban on Lebanese imports

Saudi Arabia has lifted a roughly five-year ban on imports from Lebanon, signalling support for Beirut’s embattled government and offering potential relief to businesses hit by years of conflict involving Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered on Wednesday the resumption of Lebanese exports to the kingdom, citing what he described as “positive steps” taken by the Lebanese government toward rebuilding state institutions, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

According to SPA, the decision followed a request from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both of whom took office in January 2025 with Saudi backing but have faced difficulties asserting state authority amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Both leaders swiftly issued statements thanking the crown prince. Aoun said the move “will contribute significantly to the revival of the national economy and support a wide range of Lebanese producers and exporters.”

The ban, introduced in 2021 and initially targeting agricultural imports before being expanded to all goods, was linked to the smuggling of Captagon, a methamphetamine-like drug produced in Lebanon and Syria and concealed in shipments of food, furniture and other goods, as per Reuters.

The restrictions compounded pressure on Lebanon’s already fragile economy, which has been reeling since a financial crisis in 2019. Agricultural exports in particular lost access to key Gulf markets, with shipments to Saudi Arabia valued at around $240 million in 2020.

Western and Arab countries have long alleged that the government of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah were involved in the illicit production and trafficking of the drug, accusations that Hezbollah has denied.

Assad’s government collapsed in December 2024 following a rebel offensive. Subsequently, large-scale drug production facilities were discovered in former government-controlled areas of Syria and in border regions where Hezbollah had maintained a strong presence.

Relations between Riyadh and Beirut have been strained for years, largely due to Hezbollah’s influence over Lebanese political affairs. However, the group has been weakened by ongoing conflict after launching attacks on Israel following the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault.

Saudi Arabia has since stepped up engagement with Lebanese officials, viewing the situation as an opportunity to support efforts to disarm Hezbollah and implement economic reforms aimed at addressing Lebanon’s prolonged financial crisis.

In November, Reuters reported that Riyadh was preparing to expand commercial ties with Lebanon after Lebanese authorities demonstrated “efficacy” in curbing drug smuggling to the kingdom.

Lebanon became further entangled in the wider Middle East conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in what it said was solidarity with Iran. This triggered a major Israeli air and ground campaign that has killed more than 3,600 people and displaced around one million in Lebanon.

Although the United States announced a ceasefire on April 16, hostilities have continued.

By Tamilla Hasanova