Lebanon said on Monday it hoped Saudi Arabia would reconsider a ban on its produce that Riyadh imposed citing an increase in drug smuggling, and tasked its interior minister to coordinate with the Kingdom to uncover the culprits and prevent a repeat.
Lebanon also asked its public prosecutor to follow up with investigations on the issue and keep Saudi officials informed of results, a statement by the presidency said.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon, citing an increase in drug smuggling. The fruit and vegetables trade is worth $24 million annually.
Before the meeting, President Michel Aoun asked the security forces to step up operations against smuggling after the Saudi ban.
“Smuggling of any kind hurts the country, Saudi ban on produce evidence of that,” he added.
“Lebanon is keen to maintain the best of relations with Arab countries and protect their peace and security,” he declared.
Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said Lebanon stood ready to fight smuggling networks with Saudi Arabia but that a ban would not prevent it.
"We are confident that Saudi Arabia and all the Gulf countries know well that a ban on Lebanese produce will not stop drug smuggling and cooperation between us will help stop these networks," he said.
