⋯ Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal al-Saud to Al-Arabiya: “Lebanon needs a Lebanese rapprochement not an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement.”

His remark relates to the presidential election deadlock, and echoes what Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Gebran Bassil have said recently.

⋯ Ashraf Rifi (Saudi-aligned) tweeted:

“The restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in accordance with the pledge of non-interference can be a real start in the region, if the mullahs are convinced that the policy of imposing guardianship over states through the construction of militias and shaking stability has fallen irretrievably. (...) We hope that the date of 10/03/2023 will be the end of the Iranian adventure that ruined the region.”

Rifi was the chief of the Internal Security Forces in 2005–2013. He broke ranks with Hariri in 2016—ousting his party from Tripoli—in a bid to win over Sunni politics. Staunchly anti-Hezbullah, he ‘allied’ with Geagea in Tripoli to win the seat of (outgoing) Mikati last year. His brother got a 10-year prison sentence in absentia for spying for Israel.

⋯ Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said today that there is a “glimmer of hope”.

“Yes, we were sure that the will of convergence and consensus must be victorious, ‘and do not dispute with one another, or you would be discouraged and weakened’ [Quran 8:46]. (...) I congratulate KSA, IRI, and the leaders of the two countries for completing this historic, strategic agreement.”

He concluded: “We renew the sincere call to all political forces in Lebanon to quickly take the initiative to converge on controversial issues and achieve our constitutional duties, foremost of which is the election of a president of the Republic (...) to prove our brothers that we have reached the age of national maturity and are truly sovereign and worthy of Lebanon.”

⚽ The final of the Premier League turned into a battlefield!

Beirut's Al-Ahed football club was winning 3—⁠2 against Al-Ansar, when the match was stopped in Jounieh... Unhappy supporters broke off plastic chairs that were bolted to the stadium, after the security forces foiled their attempt to storm the field.

Al-Ahed was crowned champion of the Lebanese Premier League for the 9th time, but there was no award ceremony.

⋯ More footage

Head of Jounieh Municipality to MTV:

“We will not close the Fouad Chehab Complex for football matches. The chairs can be fixed, but what can't be fixed are the mentalities. The clubs that did not calm their supporters bare responsibility for what happened.”

“Lebanese rapprochement” continues amid regional détente

⬥ Speaker Nabih Berri received today the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, in his residence of Ain El-Tineh. As he left the meeting, Bukhari told reporters that there is certainly something “positive” for Lebanon. Berri will reportedly visit Riyadh in the coming period. (Naharnet)

⬥ Caretaker-PM Najib Mikati visited today the Maronite patriarch. He indicated to reporters that “Lebanon's spring is near, God willing, with the blessings of Patriarch Al-Rahi”. After the meeting, of almost an hour, he said that both “saw eye-to-eye on the need to elect a president a.s.a.p.” Yesterday, Mikati had expressed satisfaction with the Saudi-Iranian agreement. (Al-Manar)

⋯ Nadim Gemayel (Kataeb) tweeted yesterday:

“We welcome the Iranian-Saudi rapprochement. We hope that this positivity will spread to the entire region, and that it will be the beginning of stability and peace.”

Kataeb is currently headed by Samy Gemayel.

Several individuals were arrested by the IDF at the border while crossing from Lebanon into Israel.

They were allegedly carrying 15 guns and 12 grenades.

⋯ Video of a Lebanese man being detained across the border by the IDF today. It remains unclear whether it is connected to the aforementioned incident.

Update: Israeli media reported a gag order on the incident. Reliable information is scarce from either sides.