Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday on his first foreign visit since assuming office in January. Aoun met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and number of senior officials in the kingdom as the new leadership in Beirut tries to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and garner support for Lebanon’s armed forces.

Aoun was greeted at the airport by Deputy Emir of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Commerce Minister Majed Al Qasabi and a number of other officials. He was scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at 10 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET), Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported.

Following his arrival, Aoun said he would convey “Lebanon's appreciation for the role played by the Saudi kingdom in supporting Lebanon's stability, safety and the functioning of its constitutional institutions.” He added that the talks with Crown Prince Mohammed would “pave the way” for a future visit and unspecified cooperation agreements to be signed between the two countries. Aoun is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji, according to the agency.