New President of Lebanon to Make His First International Visit to Saudi Arabia
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Beirut, Jan 11 (NationPress) Lebanon's newly-elected President Joseph Aoun disclosed on Saturday that he will embark on a trip to Saudi Arabia at the request of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
During a phone conversation, the Saudi Crown Prince extended the invitation, as stated by the Lebanese presidency. Aoun accepted and noted that this would be his inaugural foreign visit as President, emphasizing the kingdom's crucial part in aiding Lebanon.
In their discussion, the Saudi Crown Prince congratulated Aoun on his election as President. The two leaders also talked about recent events and strategies to enhance bilateral relations.
Aoun, who previously served as Lebanon's army chief, was elected as the 14th President of Lebanon on Thursday, securing 99 out of 128 parliamentary votes in the second round of voting.
This victory concluded a prolonged presidential vacancy in Lebanon that lasted over two years.
In the first round of voting, Aoun was unable to obtain a two-thirds majority, or 86 votes, prompting the parliament to pause for two hours before moving to a second round, which required only a simple majority of 65 votes for victory.
After the election, Aoun entered the parliament building in downtown Beirut to take his oath before lawmakers and to deliver his inaugural address.
As reported by the official National News Agency, Aoun recognized the necessity for change in Lebanon's political system and emphasized the need for legal and judicial reforms.
He stated, "Interference in the judiciary is forbidden, and there will be no immunity for criminals or corrupt individuals. There is no place for mafias, drug trafficking, or money laundering in Lebanon."
The political rift in Lebanon led to a vacant presidential seat after the conclusion of former President Michel Aoun's term on October 31, 2022. The parliament had failed to elect a president for the nation during 12 electoral sessions. A caretaker government has been managing the country amidst the presidential vacancy.
Joseph Aoun, 60, who is not related to Michel Aoun, is widely viewed as the favored candidate of the United States and Saudi Arabia, whose backing will be vital for Lebanon's reconstruction following a 14-month conflict involving Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, according to analysts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
