Beirut, Jan 13 (NationPress) - The newly elected President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, initiated mandatory parliamentary consultations on Monday aimed at selecting a Prime Minister to form the inaugural government of his presidency, as reported by the official National News Agency.

Aoun commenced these consultations with a meeting with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab. Throughout the day, he is scheduled to engage in discussions with various parliamentary blocs and independent members, culminating with a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

The contenders for the Prime Minister role include caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the President of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Judge Nawaf Salam.

Earlier, the opposition candidate, Parliament Member Fouad Makhzoumi, along with the Force of Changes candidate Ibrahim Mneimneh, both withdrew their candidacies in separate statements to promote broader support for Salam.

Customarily, a Sunni is appointed as Prime Minister, while the President is a Maronite Christian. The Speaker of Parliament is designated from the Shiite Muslim community.

As per Lebanon's constitution, the President designates the Prime Minister following discussions with all political factions and independent legislators. He typically selects the candidate who garners the most votes during these consultations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Aoun was elected President during the second round of voting held on Thursday, concluding a two-year presidential void that had hampered the political framework of the nation. In his inaugural address, Aoun committed to ending the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, asserting the state's monopoly over weaponry, and implementing numerous reforms.

President Aoun recently announced that he will embark on his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

The invitation was extended during a phone conversation in which the Crown Prince congratulated Aoun on his election. They discussed recent events and strategies to enhance bilateral relations.

Aoun, previously the army chief, was elected as the 14th President of Lebanon with 99 out of 128 parliamentary votes during the second voting round.

This election marked the resolution of a more than two-year presidential vacancy in Lebanon.

The political discord in Lebanon led to a vacant presidential post following the end of former President Michel Aoun's term on October 31, 2022. The parliament had been unable to elect a president through 12 electoral sessions. During this vacuum, a caretaker government has been managing the country.

At 60 years old, Joseph Aoun, who is not related to Michel Aoun, is widely regarded as the favored candidate of both the United States and Saudi Arabia, whose backing will be vital for Lebanon's recovery post a 14-month conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, as per analysts, according to Xinhua news agency.