BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt said in remarks published Thursday that he will visit Saudi Arabia soon.

“I think positive news about a visit to Saudi Arabia will be revealed soon,” said Jumblatt, who spoke to As-Safir.

Jumblatt’s latest visit to Saudi Arabia was in April 2012, a trip that aimed at breaking the ice between the PSP leader and Riyadh.

Ties between the two had deteriorated after Jumblatt’s decision in early 2011 to opt for Prime Minister Najib Mikati to replace then Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

According to Jumblatt, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri is working on finding the appropriate conditions for his visit to the Kingdom.

The PSP leader also described a recent meeting between him and the Saudi envoy as “good” and said ties with Asiri are “excellent.”