Lebanon’s New President Joseph Aoun to Make Saudi Arabia His First Official Visit

The newly elected President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, declared that his first official visit as a head of state would be to Saudi Arabia. It came after a victory congratulatory call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Aoun was elected on Thursday, filling a two-year-long office of presidential void.

Aoun, who assumes the presidency and is the fifth Lebanese army commander to do so is expected to start consultations on Monday to designate the premier. In his inauguration, he pointed out that the selection of a prime minister who can reassure the international community and carry out the needed economic reforms is the major challenge. The president also vowed to select a partner who will be able to solve Lebanon’s most vital problems.

The plan of Joseph Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia may mean the emerging processes of gazetting up of relations between the two countries. Well, as Lebanon battles it out with economic issues, this diplomatic relations with this powerful Gulf kingdom could be of great help in the rebuilding of Lebanon course. This is because Aoun’s presidency has given a new turning point for Lebanon’s political system which for many decades has not produced a head of state for almost two years.