Lebanese Interior Minister Honors Saudi Ambassador as Drug Cooperation Deepens

Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar hosted Saudi Arabia's Ambassador Walid Al-Bukhari for a farewell audience on May 18, presenting him with a medal from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in recognition of his service to the country and his role in advancing cooperation between Lebanon and the Kingdom.

During their meeting, Al-Hajjar highlighted the significant progress achieved between the two nations' interior ministries in recent months. He emphasized that the partnership has expanded substantially, with both governments demonstrating strong commitment to deepening collaboration across multiple security initiatives. The minister identified drug control as a cornerstone of this coordination, characterizing it as essential to safeguarding the security of Lebanese and Arab populations.

Ambassador Al-Bukhari responded by commending the minister and the security apparatus under his ministry's purview, particularly acknowledging their efforts in combating drug trafficking.

Beyond the diplomatic reception, Al-Hajjar engaged in a series of separate meetings with parliamentary representatives and municipal officials to discuss current domestic affairs. These conversations touched on developments surrounding the general amnesty legislation now under consideration.

Among those who met with the minister were Representative Jihad Al-Samad and Hussein Awada, the Mayor of Beit Al-Faqs, who raised concerns about municipal needs, with particular emphasis on the beekeeping sector. The minister also convened with Representatives Ahmed Al-Khair and Abdulaziz Al-Samad to review broader national developments, and separately with Representative Alain Aoun to address development and service-related matters. The day's schedule concluded with meetings involving Representatives Farid Al-Bustani and Paula Yacoubian, during which discussions centered on the general situation and matters of mutual concern.