Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.(Credit: X/@LBPresidency.)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun left Beirut on Sunday afternoon for Kuwait, where he is expected for a two-day official visit during which he will meet Emir Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
This trip is part of the continued visits by the head of state to Gulf countries, with whom Lebanon is trying to restore trust following a series of diplomatic crises, and to secure investments that would help the country get back on its feet after more than five years of severe socio-economic and financial crisis.
Aoun is accompanied on this visit by the Foreign Minister, Joe Raggi.
In this context, the chargé d'affaires of the Kuwaiti embassy in Lebanon, Yassine al-Majed, stated on Sunday, according to reports from the state-run National News Agency (NNA), that Aoun's visit is "an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields" and that it is taking place at the invitation of Emir al-Sabah. According to him, Kuwait wants "to continue supporting Lebanon's stability and the unity of its people," and is ready to stand by its side "regardless of the circumstances." Majed recalled in this regard the humanitarian air bridge that was set up during the Hezbollah-Israel war and following the escalation of the Israeli offensive in late September 2024, which displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese.
In a television interview on Saturday night, Aoun stated that his visit to Kuwait was aimed at ensuring the "reciprocity" of relations between the two countries, after Lebanon "returned to the Arabs," emphasizing that his country "does not need donations but investments." He also hoped that Kuwait would be a "catalyst" for the restoration of ties between Lebanon and the Gulf oil monarchies.