Beirut – Lebanese political, religious and partisan officials poured into the Saudi Arabian embassy in Beirut on Monday to offer their congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz for naming his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri led the well-wishers at the embassy where he was greeted by Charge d’Affaires Walid al-Bukhari and other members of the diplomatic mission.

Writing on the embassy’s register, Hariri said: “We congratulate the Kingdom for pledging its allegiance to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asking God to be his strength in all upcoming challenges.”

“We in Lebanon have long had historic and fraternal ties with the Kingdom and we hope to always continue with it in the future,” he added.

Former Prime Minister Tammam Salam also offered his congratulations, describing the Saudi leadership as “wise and strong.”

“It has for long years supported all of our Arab and Islamic causes,” he added.

“Saudi Arabia has always been a positive factor in Lebanon,” he noted.

Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora also offered his good wishes to King Salman and the Saudi Arabian people, wishing them both success.

“I am certain that the naming of the new Crown Prince will reflect positively on the Kingdom, the Gulf region and the Arab world as a whole,” he said.

Other visitors to the Saudi embassy included Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan at the head of religious delegation.

He said: “We always support Saudi Arabia that has never shied away from helping us and standing by Lebanon in all of its plights. It has also stood at an equal distance from all Lebanese people.”

The embassy’s visitors also included General Secretary of the Mustaqbal Movement Ahmed Hariri, a Lebanese Forces delegation, representing Samir Geagea, and which included deputy Premier and Minister of Health Ghassan Hasbani, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh and MP Walid Jumblat’s son Taymour, and MP Ali Bazzi.