Saudi Gazette report

BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia hailed the efforts of the Lebanese Army to extend the government's sovereignty over all of the country's territories, as well as to ensure its security and stability, thus contributing to the prosperity of Lebanon and its people.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, Saudi Arabia expressed its sincere condolences to Lebanon over the death and injury of a number of army personnel while performing their duties in southern Lebanon. Saudi Arabia also offered its condolences to the families of the victims while pledging its solidarity with the Lebanese government and people.

Last Tuesday, the Lebanese government tasked the army with developing a plan to restrict the possession of weapons to the state by the end of the year. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajai asserted that this decision was "decisive and final."

In a statement on his X social media account on Wednesday, the minister stated that the decision "came first and foremost to meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people. We say clearly to them and to the Arab and international communities that this decision is definitive and final, and there is no turning back."