On July 9, the Ad-Diyyar daily newspaper carried the following report: "The Lebanese-Saudi relations had gone through some political lows that reached the extent of deterioration and a quasi-boycotting of Lebanon because of its politics and the fact that these politics are not approved by the Kingdom… However, Christian sources indicated that some changes have started to take place that might turn the situation from bad to acceptable at this time specifically all the way to inducing a reconciliation and a Lebanese openness as it has always been.

"Today, the situation is different and Lebanon is standing in the wind away from its brothers' assistance since these brothers have imposed some rules mainly on the level of the cabinet formation. However, as mediators have been seeking to rescue Lebanon, there has been something resembling a Saudi openness to Lebanon via the gate of the Maronite patriarchate in Bkirki. Patriarch Bechara Rahi has been trying to play the role of the politicians who are failing to do their job as per the same Christian sources. He has tried to fill the governmental gap…and is thus working hard on restoring Lebanon's relations with the Arab and western countries in order to rescue the country from the raging fire.

"The release of a book titled "The relationship between the Maronite patriarchate and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" by father Antoine Daw, constitute the right opportunity as the book was released in Bkirki in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador, Walid Boukhari. Speeches were made that "restored some shine" to the relationship as per the sources. Rahi stressed the need for this relationship to return to what it was at the earliest possible time. As for Ambassador Boukhari, he was also keen on stressing the constant Saudi openness to Bkirki…

"The Christian sources added that a Saudi message has been delivered to the concerned parties indicating that the Kingdom is seeking to return to its political course of action in Lebanon only from the gate of those who defend this role and those who are seeking to regain their sovereignty and their state in light of the presently ongoing collapse of the institutions. The Kingdom has also stressed its desire to consolidate its relations with the Maronite patriarchate without any sectarian and religious sentiments. Thus, Al-Riyadh launched this process amidst pieces of information indicating that Rahi will be visiting Saudi Arabia at a time that remains to be determined. The visit was discussed and the patriarch promised that he will go…

"Moreover, the diplomatic action by the US ambassador, Dorothy Shea, and the French Ambassador, Anne Grillo, in Al-Riyadh regarding the Lebanese file will pave the way for the official Lebanese rapprochement with Saudi Arabia as per the sources. Soon, everyone will be surprised especially as nothing lasts in politics: neither the alliances nor the hostilities. Let us wait for the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement. Then, political miracles will happen."