In a wave of Arab and international support, leaders from various nations have congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected as the new President of Lebanon. This momentous occasion signifies the conclusion of a prolonged power vacuum, with pivotal figures like King Salman of Saudi Arabia extending their best wishes for Aoun’s leadership and the future stability of Lebanon.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has conveyed a message of congratulations to President Joseph Aoun on his election as President of the Lebanese Republic, as well as his subsequent taking of the constitutional oath. The Custodian expressed his aspirations for President Aoun’s success and for the ongoing development and prosperity of the Lebanese populace.
Read more: Joseph Aoun elected as Lebanon’s 14th president ending over two-year stalemate
Saudi Crown Prince’s support for Lebanon
Furthermore, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also extended a congratulatory message to President Joseph Aoun in light of his election as President of the Lebanese Republic and the taking of the constitutional oath. The Crown Prince shared his best wishes for President Aoun’s success and for the sustained advancement and welfare of the Lebanese people.
President Joseph Aoun recently received a phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who conveyed the heartfelt congratulations of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and personally commended Aoun on his recent election as President.
Saudi to be first destination for foreign visits
During the call, the Crown Prince also extended a warm invitation to President Aoun to travel to Saudi Arabia. In his response, President Aoun emphasized that “Saudi Arabia will be his first destination for foreign visits, in response to the invitation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and out of belief in the Kingdom’s historic role in supporting Lebanon and standing by it, reinforcing Lebanon’s Arab identity as the foundation for its relations with its surroundings.”
This illustrates the importance of the ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, especially following Joseph Aoun’s election as President of Lebanon.
Furthermore, Aoun received a congratulatory call from Saudi Defense Minister Khaled bin Salmane al-Saoud. These communications highlight the support and goodwill surrounding Joseph Aoun’s election as President of Lebanon.
UAE President, VPs congratulate Joseph Aoun on presidential election victory
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Joseph Aoun following his electoral victory and subsequent constitutional oath-taking as the President of the Republic of Lebanon.
Additionally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also conveyed similar congratulatory messages to President Aoun.
H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took to X to congratulate Aoun, saying: “Congratulations to Joseph Aoun on his election as President of Lebanon. I wish him success in leading his country and its people to further stability, development, and progress, and I look forward to working with him to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Lebanon.”
For his part, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated Joseph Aoun on his election as President of Lebanon, expressing his hopes for sustained stability, security and progress for the Lebanese people.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in a telephone conversation with His Excellency Joseph Aoun, congratulating him on his recent election as President of Lebanon.
His Highness conveyed his heartfelt wishes for success as President Aoun leads Lebanon, aspiring to fulfill the hopes of its citizens for development and stability. He expressed a desire to collaborate for the mutual benefit and prosperity of both nations and their peoples, thereby fostering regional security and stability.
UAE’s commitment to Lebanon’s stability and embassy reopening
Furthermore, H.H. reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to supporting all initiatives aimed at ensuring Lebanon’s security and stability and realizing the aspirations of its people. During the conversation, both leaders reached an agreement to take the necessary measures to reopen the UAE Embassy in Beirut.
In response, President Joseph Aoun expressed his gratitude to His Highness for the warm congratulations and sentiments towards Lebanon and its people. He emphasized his commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in the upcoming phase and praised the UAE’s unwavering support for Lebanon at all levels.
The two leaders also explored avenues to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation while exchanging perspectives on various issues of mutual interest. This conversation marks a significant step following Joseph Aoun’s election as President of Lebanon.
Ending two-year power vacuum
Lebanon’s parliament has elected the army chief as the country’s president, effectively concluding a power vacuum that has persisted for over two years.
This election took place six weeks after Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement to end a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which left the latter considerably weakened and devastated regions under its control.
During the conflict, the Lebanese army, which Aoun has led since 2017, remained uninvolved and plays a crucial role under the ceasefire arrangement.
Aoun’s vision for Lebanon
In a speech delivered to lawmakers after his election on Thursday, Aoun proclaimed that “a new phase in Lebanon’s history” had commenced. The 60-year-old committed himself to ensuring that the Lebanese state possesses “the exclusive right to bear arms” throughout his six-year term.
Addressing destruction and reform
Aoun identified one of his primary goals as addressing the destruction wrought by “Israeli aggression” in southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the eastern Bekaa Valley during the war—damage that the World Bank estimates will require $8.5 billion to repair. He also vowed to pursue the political and economic reforms deemed necessary in a nation grappling with multiple crises, including a six-year-long economic depression regarded as one of the most severe in modern history, as well as the catastrophic 2020 Beirut port explosion that claimed over 200 lives.
Presidential responsibilities
In his role as president, Aoun will not be tasked with making executive decisions. However, he will be responsible for signing bills into law, consulting with political parties regarding the appointment of a prime minister, and approving the cabinet prior to its submission to parliament for a vote of confidence. Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since the parliamentary elections in May 2022. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati was unable to secure support for a new cabinet before then-President Michel Aoun’s term ended that October, leaving his administration with diminished powers. The deeply fragmented parliament subsequently failed to elect a new president on 12 different occasions.
In Thursday’s initial round, 71 lawmakers voted in favor of Aoun, falling 15 votes short of the two-thirds majority he needed in the 128-seat parliament. An additional 37 lawmakers submitted blank ballots, while 20 ballots were deemed invalid.
Hours later, Aoun was elected president after garnering 99 votes in the second round. As soon as the results were announced by Speaker Nabih Berri, television channels broadcast images of celebrations erupting across the nation. Aoun was later seen arriving at the parliament building in a dark suit, as opposed to his military uniform, and inspected the guards before entering the chamber to take his oath.
Former President Michel Aoun visited Baabda Palace on Friday to meet with newly elected President Joseph Aoun. Following their meeting, Michel Aoun remarked, “It is only natural to come and congratulate him, wishing him success during this challenging period.”
Also, Aoun arrived on Friday at the patriarchal headquarters in Bkerki for a meeting with Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi.
Macron and U.S. support for Aoun
U.S. President Joe Biden praised Joseph Aoun’s election as Lebanon’s president, stating that the army chief is the “right leader” for the nation.
“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.
In a gesture of congratulations to the newly elected President Joseph Aoun, U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood released a statement addressing Lebanon’s presidential elections.
He characterized January 9 as a significant day and expressed optimism that the elections would lead to the establishment of a robust government dedicated to combating corruption.
The U.S. embassy in Beirut expressed its commitment to collaborating closely with Aoun as he embarks on “his efforts to unite the country, implement reforms, and secure a prosperous future for Lebanon.”
The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, remarked that the election represented “a long-awaited first step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional vacuum and providing the Lebanese people with the functioning state institutions they deserve.”
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Aoun on what he described as a “crucial election” that “paves the way for reform and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty and prosperity.”
Aoun: A friend of Italy
Following his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani conveyed robust support, referring to Aoun as a “friend of Italy” and mentioning that Italians are delighted with his election.
“They rely on him, and we will work together in the coming months,” the minister stated.
The foreign minister also shared reflections from his recent visit to Damascus, where he met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
He pointed out a significant shift in the region and expressed optimism that Syria would experience increased unity and advancements toward stability in the Middle East.
Brazil’s commitment to cooperation
The Brazilian government extended its congratulations to the Lebanese people and government following the parliamentary election of General Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon on Thursday. This election marks a significant moment after more than two years of presidential vacancy in the nation.
The Brazilian government expresses optimism that this resolution of the prolonged presidential void will aid in tackling Lebanon’s social, economic, and security challenges.
Brazil reaffirms its dedication to further strengthening the historic bonds of cooperation and friendship with Lebanon.
Bahrain’s support for Lebanon
His Majesty Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency President Joseph Aoun on his election as President of Lebanon and his taking of the constitutional oath. His Majesty wished President Aoun success in his duties to advance and prosper Lebanon, fulfilling the aspirations of its people.
His Majesty emphasized Bahrain’s support for Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations and Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing them.
Jordan’s commitment to Lebanon
His Majesty Jordan’s King Abdullah congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on gaining the confidence of Lebanon’s parliament, which elected him as president, wishing him success and the Lebanese people continued progress and prosperity. In his message to President Aoun, His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s support for Lebanon’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the deep-rooted bilateral relations and a desire to expand cooperation while maintaining coordination in the interest of mutual benefits and Arab unity, as stated by the Royal Court.
Qatar’s support and hopes
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, posted on his X account: “I congratulate His Excellency Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun on his election as the new president of the Republic, and to the brotherly Lebanese people. We hope that this step marks the beginning of a new phase of stability and prosperity. Qatar will always remain supportive of Lebanon and its people in their journey toward a bright future.”
Kuwait’s warm wishes
His Highness Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of the Republic of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. In his message, His Highness offered heartfelt congratulations on Aoun’s election, wishing him success in serving the nation’s interests and ensuring its stability. He also expressed hopes for Lebanon’s ongoing growth, progress, and prosperity, while underscoring the historic and distinguished relations between Kuwait and Lebanon, affirming his commitment to strengthening these ties and enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Egypt’s support for Aoun and Iran’s congratulations
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also extended his congratulations to Lebanon’s newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, expressing his eagerness to meet soon to discuss ways to bolster bilateral cooperation.
During a phone conversation, El-Sisi expressed confidence in Aoun’s capacity to guide Lebanon through the critical challenges facing the country and the region, emphasizing Egypt’s belief in his leadership to fulfill the aspirations of the Lebanese people, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. El-Sisi reiterated Cairo’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, affirming Egypt’s readiness to assist Lebanon in overcoming its challenges and embarking on a new era of security and stability. Aoun, for his part, expressed gratitude for Egypt’s longstanding support for Lebanon and its people, highlighting the historical and fraternal ties between the two nations, while reaffirming his commitment to strengthening these enduring relations.
Iran’s embassy also conveyed its congratulations and expressed a desire to collaborate with Lebanon “in a way that serves the common interests of our countries.”
Congratulations from Pakistan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his congratulations to Joseph Aoun, the newly elected President of Lebanon.
In a message posted on X, Sharif offered his best wishes for Aoun’s leadership, stating, “Warm congratulations to Mr. Joseph Aoun on his election as the President of Lebanon. I wish him success in his endeavors to lead Lebanon towards peace, stability & prosperity. Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon & looks forward to strengthen our bilateral cooperation.”
Sharif also underscored Pakistan’s dedication to enhancing bilateral relations with Lebanon, emphasizing the significance of their partnership and cooperation.
Aoun and Syria’s Sharaa: A call for cooperation
Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, reached out to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to extend his congratulations following Aoun’s election to the presidency. This was reported by the Lebanese president’s office in a statement released on Sunday.
“Joseph Aoun received a phone call from the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who congratulated him on his election as president, wishing him success in his new duties and stressing the fraternal relations between the Syrian and Lebanese peoples,” the announcement from Baabda Palace stated.
In response, President Aoun discussed with Sharaa “the importance of cooperation to resolve all pending issues between the two countries.” Syrian authorities also mentioned in a statement that during their conversation, the two leaders “confirmed their willingness to work towards building and strengthening relations between Syria and Lebanon, as well as the common points that unite them.”
Other congratulatory phone calls
Aoun spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Soudani, who also conveyed his congratulations and underscored the “fraternal” relations between Beirut and Baghdad. According to a press release from the presidential palace in Baabda, Soudani reiterated Iraq’s “continued support” and its readiness to assist Lebanon in “overcoming the consequences” of the war.
President Joseph Aoun also received congratulatory phone calls from several leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, British Defense Minister John Healey, Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, and various army commanders from both brotherly and friendly nations.
In addition, the President of the Republic was sent further congratulatory cables on the occasion of his election and subsequent constitutional oath. Notable messages came from Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, and Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Furthermore, President Aoun received two congratulatory cables from John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, as well as from Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL.
