Saudi Arabia has lifted its five-year ban on Lebanese imports, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on June 10, marking a major shift in Gulf-Lebanon relations. The ban was imposed in 2021 after Saudi authorities intercepted more than 5 million Captagon pills hidden in pomegranate shipments. It was later extended to all Lebanese goods after a Lebanese minister publicly criticized the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry cited "positive steps taken by the Lebanese state" as the reason for lifting the ban. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the move, saying it "will contribute tangibly to reviving the national economy" — a critical lifeline for a country that has been trapped in economic collapse for years.
The reversal follows Lebanon's new government efforts to disarm non-state armed groups including Hezbollah, which was severely weakened during its 2025 conflict with Israel. Gulf nations have indicated they will support Lebanon's reconstruction as the country strengthens state institutions and distances itself from Iranian-backed militias.