UAE to lift three-year ban on Lebanon travel for Emiratis

The United Arab Emirates will lift a three-year ban on its citizens travelling to Lebanon, according to a joint statement on Thursday.

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The decision was announced a day after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met his UAE President His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed AL Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

"The two sides agreed to allow travel for citizens by implementing necessary procedures and mechanisms to ease movement between the two countries," the statement said.

In 2021, the UAE imposed a travel ban on its citizens and withdrew diplomats from Beirut in solidarity with Saudi Arabia after a Lebanese minister criticised the Riyadh-led military intervention in Yemen.

Lebanese citizens were not banned from travelling to the UAE, although some experienced difficulties obtaining visas.

"To strengthen the close ties and firm fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the sisterly Republic of Lebanon, and to consolidate bilateral relations, Sheikh Mohamed received Aoun at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi," said a joint statement issued by the UAE and Lebanon on the visit of Aoun,

The two leaders held talks on bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

"President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed welcomed the Lebanese President and expressed his hope that the visit would deepen the fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and advance their shared interests and aspirations for progress and prosperity," said the statement.