The international community welcomed the election of the former Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, as President of Lebanon on Thursday, ending more than two years of vacancy in the country's leadership, which had deepened its economic and political crises.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered his “congratulations” to Lebanon's new president whose election, he said, “opens the way to reforms”.
“This crucial election (...) opens the way to reform, restoration, sovereignty and prosperity for Lebanon”, said the French president on X, adding:to the Lebanese “ France is at your side.”
France has played a pivotal role in facilitating the election of the Lebanese president. France's envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian attended the vote.
Extending France's "warm congratulations" to Aoun, the French foreign ministry said his election "opens a new page for the Lebanese" and urged "the appointment of a strong government" that can help the country recover.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president, saying in a statement that the army chief was the "right leader" for the war-battered country.
"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.
As for the US envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, he stated that “Joseph Aoun's election is a step toward peace and stability in Lebanon.”
In turn, US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson congratulated President Aoun. “We deeply value our long-standing partnership with Lebanon and are committed to working closely with President Aoun as he begins his efforts to unite the country, implement reforms, and secure a prosperous future for Lebanon,” read a statement on the US Embassy's X account.
British Ambassador Hamish Cowell noted that the election of President Aoun represents hope following numerous challenges.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have also congratulated Joseph Aoun on his victory.
US, Saudi and French envoys had visited Beirut to increase pressure in the run-up to the vote.
Qatar praised the election of the Lebanese army chief, calling for "stability.”
"The State of Qatar welcomes the election of Lebanese army commander General Joseph Aoun," the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it hoped his election would "contribute to establishing security and stability in Lebanon".
Iran's embassy in Beirut welcomed the election of President Joseph Aoun, expressing hopes for close cooperation between the two countries.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the election of the new president, expressing hope that it would help achieve stability.
"I hope that this choice will contribute towards stability, a better future for Lebanon and its people and to good neighbourly relations," Saar, whose country was at war with Hezbollah until late last year, said on X.
UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the election "as a long-awaited first step towards overcoming Lebanon's political and institutional vacuum".
"A prime minister must be designated and a government formed without delay," she said.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said that Lebanon will overcome the "repercussions of Israeli aggression" under the leadership of its new president.
"We are confident that our brotherly Lebanon will overcome the repercussions of the Israeli occupation's aggression and achieve development and prosperity," Abbas said in a statement, referring to Israel's war with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which ended late last year.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the election of army chief Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's new president as a "moment of hope" for the war-battered country.
"The way is now open to stability and reforms. Europe supports this path," the European Commission president wrote on X.
Russia said it welcomes the election of a new president of Lebanon, which it hopes will bring political stability to the country.
The foreign ministry in a statement said the election of army chief Joseph Aoun "opened up the prospect of strengthening internal political stability in Lebanon and righting the country's complex social and economic position".
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the election of army chief Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's new president was a chance for "reforms and change" in the war-ravaged country.
"After many years of crisis and stagnation, this is a moment of opportunity to bring about reforms and change," Baerbock said on social media platform X. "Germany stands by the side of the people of Lebanon on the way forward."
The United Nations Security Council hailed Aoun’s election saying it ends "more than two years of vacancy of this important position."
Council members emphasized the need for "fully functional state institutions, to address the pressing political, economic and security challenges" in Lebanon, according to a statement read to reporters by Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama, whose country currently holds the body's rotating presidency.
With AFP
Comments