ISTANBUL

Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun received congratulatory messages from several Arab countries and organizations Thursday, with leaders describing his election as the main path to consolidating stability and strengthening institutions in the country.

Aoun was elected president after securing 99 votes during a second round of voting in the 128-seat parliament.

His election ended a more than two-year political vacuum in Lebanon since Michel Aoun left office in October 2022.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a cable of congratulations to Aoun, offering his “best wishes for success and prosperity to the Lebanese president and the brotherly people of Lebanon,” the Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a similar cable, wishing “success and advancement for the Lebanese president and the Lebanese people.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani congratulated Lebanon on the completion of its presidential election.

“We wish President Aoun success in his important duties,” he said on his X account, adding this step was “on the path to consolidating stability and strengthening the state of institutions.”

Jordan's King Abdullah II also sent Aoun a message congratulating him on his election as president.

It conveyed “heartfelt congratulations and sincere brotherly sentiments on this occasion,” according to a statement issued by the Royal Court.

Abdullah expressed his best wishes for Aoun, hoping that he will succeed in serving Lebanon, promoting its progress and development and ensuring the prosperity of its people.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also sent a congratulatory message to Aoun, expressing Palestine's desire to strengthen “brotherly relations and cooperation” with Lebanon, its government and its people, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement congratulating the Lebanese parliament on the election of Aoun and wishing the new president success in his duties.

The statement also highlighted Qatar’s hope for the further development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Qatar expressed optimism that the resolution of Lebanon’s presidential crisis would contribute to the country’s security and stability as well as help the Lebanese people achieve their goals of progress, development and prosperity.

Aoun also received a phone call from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who congratulated him on his election and affirmed his country’s support for Lebanon, according to the Lebanon’s official National News Agency.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also sent a congratulatory message to Aoun, praising the step Lebanon has taken "on the path to recovery, alleviating the suffering of its people, and achieving the security it deserves as well as the stability, development and prosperity it aspires to."

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Aoun on his election, wishing him "success in leading Lebanon toward fulfilling the aspirations of its people for development and prosperity," according to the country's official news agency WAM.

Similarly, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, along with Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister and head of the Presidential Court, sent similar congratulatory messages to President Aoun.

Kuwait’s official news agency KUNA reported that the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sent a congratulatory message to Aoun on his election as president.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman also sent a "congratulatory cable to Aoun on his election as President of the brotherly Lebanese Republic and his swearing-in," according to a statement from the Omani Foreign Ministry.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also sent a congratulatory message to Aoun on his election as Lebanon's president, according to the country's official news agency.

Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, congratulated Aoun and wished him “success and wisdom, along with good health and happiness, and for the brotherly Lebanese people, stability, peace and development," according to a statement from the Yemeni Foreign Ministry.

On the level of Arab organizations and movements, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, extended "sincere congratulations to Lebanon on the election of President Aoun as the new president of the country after a long wait" in a post on X.

Similarly, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), congratulated the Lebanese people, expressing his hope that Aoun’s election “would contribute to restoring security and peace in Lebanon and achieving the aspirations of the Lebanese people for stability, prosperity and development.”

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas also extended its congratulations to the Lebanese people on Aoun's election as president.

Hamas released a statement in which it prayed "for the new era to succeed in leading the country toward progress and prosperity, achieving the goals of the brotherly Lebanese people in fully liberating their land from the Zionist enemy and preserving Lebanon's unity, security and stability."

Aoun, who has led the Lebanese army since 2017, became the fifth army commander in Lebanon’s history to ascend to the presidency, the fourth in a row, and the 14th president overall.

The president’s term lasts six years, with no reelection allowed until six years after the end of his mandate.

The president plays a key role in signing laws and appointing the prime minister in consultation with parliament.

According to the Lebanese Constitution, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the parliamentary speaker a Shia Muslim.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio and Rania Abu Shamala