Newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (left) stands next to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the Parliament building in Beirut on Jan. 9, 2025. (Credit: Anwar Amro/ AFP Photo)
Lebanon’s elected president Joseph Aoun announced that his first official foreign trip will be to Saudi Arabia, in response to an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
During a phone conversation, Aoun, 61, who was elected president on Thursday after more than two years of vacancy at Baabda Palace, assured the Saudi crown prince that Saudi Arabia "will be his first destination abroad," the statement said.
According to reports from Al-Jadeed, a Saudi delegation is expected in Beirut early next week to in a visit to congratulate Aoun on his election.
Aoun was backed several countries, including Saudi Arabia, which recently returned to the Lebanese political scene after distancing itself due to the growing influence of Hezbollah.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) also reported that Mohammed bin Salman extended an invitation to Aoun to visit the kingdom.
According to analysts, the election of the Lebanese army chief as president was made possible by a decline in Iran’s influence and that of its allies in the region.
A French diplomatic official told AFP on Friday that "Saudi Arabia's decisive support, particularly at the last moment, was a determining factor" in facilitating Aoun’s election.
Taking the oath of office before Parliament on Thursday, Aoun pledged to adopt a "positive neutrality policy" and to establish "the best possible relations with Arab brotherly countries."
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
