World congratulates Lebanon on first step to stability after election of Joseph Aoun as President

Countries hope appointment will lead to security and ultimately prosperity for Lebanese people

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech after his election in Beirut, AFP

Arab and world leaders have congratulated Lebanon after its parliament elected army chief Gen Joseph Aoun to the country's presidency on Thursday, filling the position that had been vacant for more than two years.

Mr Aoun's election represents the first step towards lifting Lebanon out of a protracted financial crisis exacerbated by the war on its soil between the militant group Hezbollah and Israel, which was temporarily halted last November in a ceasefire deal.

He clinched the presidency in a second round of voting, garnering 99 votes from the 128-member house.

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Gen Aoun on his election victory and wished him "success in leading his country and its people to further stability, development and progress". He also said he looked forward to working with Mr Aoun to strengthen co-operation between the UAE and Lebanon.

US President Joe Biden spoke to Mr Aoun to congratulate him on his election victory, saying he would provide "critical leadership" as Lebanon and Israel implement a US-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah.

"We finally have a president, he's a first-rate guy," Mr Biden told reporters. "I spent time on the phone with him today … they're also working very hard with the Lebanese military, accountable to the Lebanese people, not Hamas, not Hezbollah, not any other group. And so I think we're going to see some progress."

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the Lebanese people and wished Mr Aoun success "in a way that enhances the prosperity of Lebanon and the well-being of its people".

"Strengthening the national state and its institutions is a pivotal step towards achieving the aspirations and ambitions of the Lebanese people for progress and prosperity," Dr Gargash said on X.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sent his congratulations to Mr Aoun, expressing hope that his election would help achieve stability in the country.

"I congratulate Lebanon upon the election of a new President, following a lengthy political crisis," Mr Saar said on X. "I hope that this choice will contribute towards stability, a better future for Lebanon and its people, and to good neighbourly relations."

French President Emmanuel Macron extended his congratulations with a post on X, saying: "Congratulations to President Joseph Aoun on this crucial election. It opens the way to reforms and the restoration of sovereignty and the prosperity of Lebanon. Lebanese, France is at your side."

The French Foreign Ministry extended its "warm congratulations" to Mr Aoun and said his election "opens a new page for the Lebanese" and urged "the appointment of a strong government" that can help the country recover.

Thursday's vote came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are seeking international assistance for reconstruction.

Israel and Hezbollah had exchanged fire almost daily since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, before a truce took hold on November 27. By then more than 3,000 people had been killed in Lebanon by Israeli air strikes. Israel also inflicted staggering losses on Hezbollah, which had for years fought in support of Bashar Al Assad's government in Syria, long a conduit of weapons for the militant group backed by Iran.

The Hezbollah-Israel war has cost Lebanon more than $5 billion in economic losses, with structural damage amounting to billions more, the World Bank estimates.

Iran also welcomed the election of Mr Aoun, expressing hopes for close co-operation between the two countries.

"We congratulate brotherly Lebanon for the election of General Joseph Aoun," Iran's embassy in Beirut said in a statement on X, adding that "we look forward to working together ... and to co-operate in different fields in a way that serves the common interests for our countries".

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also congratulated Lebanon's new President, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest provider of financial assistance to Lebanon, with ties between the countries dating back to the 1980s. However, relations have been on shaky ground in recent years, primarily over the influence on Lebanon's politics of Hezbollah, with Riyadh calling for the political process to be reformed. But Riyadh played a role in Thursday's result, with Prince Yazid bin Mohammed, adviser to the kingdom's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, featuring heavily in diplomatic efforts.

Jordan's King Abdullah sent a message wishing Mr Aoun success in serving Lebanon, enhancing its progress and development, and achieving prosperity for the Lebanese people.

"The king reiterates Jordan's support for Lebanon in supporting its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and stresses the strength of deep-rooted bilateral relations, and the keenness to expand opportunities for co-operation, and maintain co-ordination to achieve common interests, and enhance Arab unity," the official Petra news agency reported.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his best wishes for Mr Aoun's success in leading Lebanon "towards further progress and prosperity". He also emphasised the Palestinian territories' commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and partnership with Lebanon, its government and its people, a statement from the presidency said.

Lisa Johnson, US ambassador to Lebanon, said she was "very happy" over Mr Aoun's election as President. Ms Johnson and other foreign envoys attended Thursday's session at the Lebanese parliament in which he was elected.

The UN special co-ordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the "long-awaited first step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional vacuum".

“A prime minister must be designated and a government formed without delay. The tasks ahead of the Lebanese state are too monumental to waste any more time,” she said in a statement. “Now is the moment for each and every decision-maker to put the interest of Lebanon above all personal or political considerations.”

The UN Security Council also welcomed Mr Aoun's election and emphasised "the importance of the election of a president in Lebanon to ensuring fully functional state institutions to address the pressing political, economic and security challenges of the country".