From Saudi to US, congrats pour in for Lebanon's new President Aoun
Lebanon's parliament elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday, ending the country's two-year presidential vacuum.
Middle Eastern leaders as well as foreign envoys and leaders from the United States and Europe have welcomed the election of Gen. Joseph Aoun in Lebanon after a parliamentary vote on Thursday handed him the presidency, ending more than two years of political stalemate in the country.
Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to congratulate Aoun on his election, as the Gulf states, the United States and Europe welcomed Lebanon's political transition.
Aoun received 99 votes in the second round of voting after securing only 71 votes in the first round, falling short of the 86-seat threshold needed in the 128-seat chamber.
Aoun was believed to be the preferred candidate of the United States and Saudi Arabia. He holds a favorable reputation across Lebanon, having led the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) since 2017, a period of significant instability, and worked to combat corruption within its ranks.
