On first state visit, Aoun lauds UAE-Lebanon ties, says 'past behind us'
The Lebanese president’s visit to the UAE is the first by a head of state in years, as ties between the two countries became increasingly strained during Hezbollah’s growing influence in Lebanon.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, met Wednesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, in his first official visit to the Arab Gulf country since taking office in January.
The two officials agreed during their talks on the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in order to achieve the interests of both peoples, a statement by the Lebanese presidency read.
Aoun, meanwhile, praised Sheikh Mohammed’s support for Lebanon and expressed that he hoped to see Emirati nationals back in Lebanon again.
“The past is now behind us and the state has started recovering its role, capabilities, and sovereignty, and all its components are cooperating for the future of Lebanon,” the statement cited Aoun as saying during the meeting.
