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BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia will “extend a hand of support to Lebanon” as it faces challenges, Lebanese ex-Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday after meeting the Saudi king along with two other Lebanese former premiers.

Another member of the delegation, Fouad Siniora, said the talks were important in terms of support for Lebanon’s economy, stability and unity.

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The Lebanese government, saddled with one of the world’s heaviest public debt burdens, is facing a financial crisis that it seeks to address with long-delayed reforms.

Saudi Arabia was a historic backer of Lebanon until ties between the two were strained in recent years by the growing influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

The Saudi king “stressed the necessity of preserving Lebanon and soon there will be Saudi steps towards the Lebanese state,” Lebanon’s LBC TV cited Mikati as saying on its website.

“Our concern is saving the country in light of the difficulties that we are going through,” he said.