Iran extends congratulations to Lebanon on the election of its new president
The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon has extended its congratulations to the Arab nation following the election of Joseph Aoun as its new president. The embassy underscored its enthusiasm to work towards enhancing bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon.
In a statement released on its X account Thursday, the mission conveyed optimism that the election will bolster ties between the two “brotherly” nations across numerous sectors.
In a statement released in Arabic, congratulations were extended to Lebanon on the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic, highlighting the election process’s atmosphere of broad consensus.
The authorities have extended their best wishes to His Excellency, expressing hope for success in his mission. They have emphasized the importance of collaboration to enhance the diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanon. This partnership aims to foster cooperation across various sectors, serving the mutual interests of both nations and contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
Earlier today, Lebanese lawmakers successfully elected Michel Aoun as president following two rounds of voting within the 128-member parliament. This decision comes after 12 unsuccessful attempts over the past two years to elect a leader for the Mediterranean nation.
In a significant political development, Michel Aoun garnered 99 out of 128 possible votes in Lebanon’s politically fragmented parliament. His election saw backing from a broad range of political factions, notably from Hezbollah members and their adversaries, reflecting a rare moment of cross-party consensus.
His election brought an end to a lengthy leadership void that had delayed crucial reforms and intensified concerns of widespread instability amid the country’s numerous crises.
After his election victory, Aoun, who served as the 14th commander of the Lebanese armed forces from 2017, officially vacated his military position. He arrived in parliament to take the oath of office, wearing civilian clothing.
Aoun is tasked with overseeing the enforcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Additionally, he must spearhead the formation of a new government aimed at tackling the challenges of post-war reconstruction.
In November, the World Bank issued an initial evaluation, estimating that the physical damage and economic losses resulting from the conflict in Israel amount to $8.5 billion.
