In a press release, the Beirut Merchants' Association congratulated the new president, regarding his election as a “new beginning” for the country, particularly in terms of reforms, whether in administration, justice or the fight against corruption and cronyism. The association also pledged that it would put “all its energy” at the disposal of the new Head of State, with the aim of “rebuilding the country.”
President Aoun is in Bkirki for a meeting with the Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai.
South Lebanon
According to our correspondent, the Lebanese Army has deployed on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district, and more precisely at the junction of the roads linking this locality to those of Ramaya and Qouzah.
Citing a security source, he added that the army would be stationed tomorrow at the Salhani and Qouzah crossroads to open the road between the areas blocked by the Israeli army with earth embankments.
President Joseph Aoun receives Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Baabda, reports the National News Agency.
Italy's head of diplomacy announced from Beirut that Syria's new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa had pledged to “block illegal immigration” and “fight drug traffickers” when they met in Damascus on Friday.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, gave her support on Friday to Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, whom Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is due to meet in Beirut in the afternoon after a visit to Damascus in Syria.
“I am convinced that President Aoun will be a trustworthy and authoritative leader for Lebanon, a nation that is a friend of Italy, to which we are linked by deep and historic ties,” Meloni said in a statement.
The head of Italian diplomacy arrived in the Lebanese capital on Friday after a visit to Syria, during which he met the new Syrian leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Tajani had previously held talks with his Syrian counterpart, Assaad al-Shaibani.
Shortly before the announcement of the parliamentary consultations, MP Ashraf Rifi (Tripoli) announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Council. Rifi is a major opponent of Hezbollah.
“I am a candidate for the presidency of the government for the new phase,” announced the MP, who called caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, "part of the old political class, which everyone rejects."
On Thursday evening, the leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, had stated that he was in favor of Rifi or his colleague Fouad Makhzoumi (MP for Beirut II) for the post of Prime Minister.
South Lebanon
According to our information, the last fatal Israeli strike was on Dec. 23. Since then, although the Israeli army has continued to blow up houses and fire artillery on certain villages, there have been no reported casualties.
On Monday, President Aoun will hold his binding consultations for the appointment of a Prime Minister. He will receive the various parliamentary blocs and MPs in Baabda, according to a schedule published by the General Directorate of the Presidency of the Republic.
The consultations will begin at 8 a.m. with a meeting between Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
The Mufti of the Republic Abdel Latif Deriane, the highest Sunni authority in Lebanon, sent his congratulations to the new president in a telephone call, the religious dignitary wished the head of state “success and success in his new tasks” to “preserve the country's security and stability by activating the role of constitutional institutions,” while stressing “the need to cooperate with brotherly and friendly countries.”
Mufti Deriane also expressed his “full confidence in the skills and values” of Joseph Aoun, while affirming his hope in his mandate, according to a statement shared by the state-run National Information Agency (NNA).
Joseph Aoun has also received a series of congratulatory calls, namely from former head of state Michel Sleiman and Marada leader and former presidential candidate Sleiman Frangieh.
On the international scene, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have also contacted him to congratulate him, and he has received messages from Saudi Arabia's King Salman, his son Crown Prince Mohammad ben Salman and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
In a statement, the Presidential Palace reported that President Joseph Aoun led a working meeting with several officials from the palace's various departments, including Director General Antoine Choucair and Press Office Chief Rafik Chlela. He asked the participants to “work as a united team.”
The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) reacted this morning to the election of Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon. In a press release, it offered its “warmest congratulations” to the new president and to the Lebanese people.
The ABL described the election as “an important step (...) that brings hope for a better future for Lebanon and restores the confidence of the international community in our beloved country.”
The association also welcomed Aoun's inaugural speech, describing it as “a clear commitment to reform the public administration and finances, to combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism and drug trafficking and to strengthen the independence and integrity of the judiciary.”
Finally, the ABL stressed that “these commitments are essential to address the reasons that led to Lebanon's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list.”
Former president Michel Aoun congratulated his successor, Joseph Aoun, on his election in Baabda.
“We have come to congratulate the president and wish him every success in these difficult circumstances,” he said in a message on his X account.
After the meeting between Najib Mikati and President Joseph Aoun, the latter thanked Mikati for his "efforts" and those of his government during the vacancy period. He requested, as mentioned by the caretaker prime minister, that Mikati continue handling current affairs until a new Cabinet is formed, according to the presidency’s account on X.
The leader of the Lebanese Democratic Party Talal Arslan congratulated Joseph Aoun over the phone this morning. "The current period requires all Lebanese factions to rally around the president and contribute to the success of his term, which we hope will be promising," Arslan said in a statement issued by his party.
Former President Michel Aoun arrived in Baabda to congratulate his successor, Joseph Aoun, following his election, according to the presidency’s account on X.
Caretaker Lebanese Industry Minister Georges Bouchikian described the election of Gen. Joseph Aoun as president as "a project for nation-building," praising the new president's "dedication to the country and the army."
He added that the president's inaugural address serves as "a roadmap to put Lebanon back on the path to recovery and restore its position on the international stage."
Hanane, originally from Zouk Mikael, arrived in Aishieh yesterday. "We used to play together in the village when we were kids. But he was always different from the other children. He was very composed. We are proud of him," she said about Joseph Aoun, who shares her family name.
Our journalists are reporting from Aishieh, Jezzine district, Joseph Aoun's hometown.
A spontaneous mass is being held right now in a village church, to pray for the new president, explains mokhtar Tony Aoun, one of his cousins. About 10 people are present.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidès will travel to Beirut this afternoon to congratulate his new Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, reports the National News Agency (NNA). This will be Aoun's first international visit since his election.
Last June, statements by former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah sparked tensions between Beirut and Nicosia. Nasrallah warned Cyprus against any use by Israel of Cypriot infrastructure in the event of conflict. The Cypriot authorities then repeatedly asserted that their country, located 200 km from Lebanon, would not become involved in the event of war.
In Baabda, Joseph Aoun received caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati. At the end of the meeting, Mikati said he had discussed with the new president “the situation in the South and the need for the Israeli enemy to withdraw” from Lebanese territory and “cease its violations” of the cease-fire.
“President Aoun has asked the government to continue with current affairs until a new Cabinet is formed,” he added. “We are facing a new challenge to save Lebanon.”
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the first day of Joseph Aoun's term as Lebanon's new president, elected after more than two years of vacancy. Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to get caught up on yesterday's elections.
margueritasejaan@lorientlejour.com
Reminder:
Joseph Aoun was elected yesterday during the second round of voting in the parliamentary session, securing 99 votes out of 128 MPs. Notably, he received the votes of Hezbollah and Amal, in the second round.
In his inaugural speech, filled with promises and commitments, Joseph Aoun took a strong stance on judicial independence and the state's monopoly on weapons. His remarks were met with hearty applause — though not from Hezbollah MPs.
In his speech, Joseph Aoun also pledged to quickly begin consultations for the appointment of a prime minister. During these binding consultations, held at the Baabda Palace, each parliamentary bloc is received by the head of state, who then designates a prime minister based on the outcomes.
Before this procedure, the new president is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. with the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Abdellatif Deriane, the spiritual leader of Lebanon's Sunni community, as well as the Saudi ambassador to Beirut, Walid Boukhari.
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