The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmad Aboul Gheit, is currently visiting Lebanon, primarily to extend his congratulations to the newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, who was elected on Jan. 9 after more than two years of vacancy, expressing that he anticipates "positive developments" in the country.

Received at the Grand Serail by the outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, Aboul Gheit explained that his visit aims to present his congratulations "to the people, the government, and the Lebanese president" for the election of Joseph Aoun. "I feel great joy because I anticipate positive developments, God willing, for the Lebanese state and people," he remarked, hoping for an "agreement" regarding the designation of the future Prime Minister following the binding parliamentary consultations launched at the Baabda Palace. During these consultations, the president must confer with all parliamentarians to appoint, based on their nominations, the future president of the Cabinet.

After this designation, "the pillars of the Lebanese state will be complete, and with these elements united, Lebanon will be ready to begin a new phase to resolve and overcome its numerous problems," according to the Secretary-General of the Arab League, who was accompanied on his tour by his deputy, Houssam Zaki.

However, Aboul Gheit refused to predict the outcome of the future Prime Minister's designation. "This decision rests with the Lebanese Parliament."

He then proceeded to Ain al-Tineh to have discussions with the Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri.