World reacts to Joseph Aoun’s appointment as Lebanon’s new president

Lebanon’s parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday.

The presidency, reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, with deeply divided factions unable to agree on a candidate able to win enough votes in the 128-seat parliament.

Here’s how leaders across the world reacted to Aoun’s election.

Saudia Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on his election as Lebanon’s president, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Russia

Russia said it welcomes the election of a new president of Lebanon, which it hopes will bring political stability to the country.

The foreign ministry in a statement said the election of army chief Joseph Aoun “opened up the prospect of strengthening internal political stability in Lebanon and righting the country’s complex social and economic position.”

Germany

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the election of army chief Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president was a chance for “reforms and change” in the war-ravaged country.

“After many years of crisis and stagnation, this is a moment of opportunity to bring about reforms and change,” Baerbock said on social media platform X. “Germany stands by the side of the people of Lebanon on the way forward.”

EU

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the election of army chief Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president as a “moment of hope” for the war-battered country.

“The way is now open to stability and reforms. Europe supports this path,” the European Commission president wrote on X.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the “crucial election” by Lebanese lawmakers of army chief Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year vacuum at the top, calling his victory an opportunity for reform in the country.

Aoun faces the daunting tasks of overseeing a ceasefire in south Lebanon and naming a prime minister able to lead reforms demanded by international creditors to save the country from its worst economic crisis in history.
“Congratulations to President Joseph Aoun on this crucial election,” Macron wrote on X.

“It paves the way for reform and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty and prosperity,” he added.

France’s foreign ministry urged the formation of a strong government, saying Aoun’s election “opens a new page for the Lebanese.

“France has always stood by Lebanon and the Lebanese people. It will continue to do so,” the ministry added.

Qatar

Qatar praised the election of Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun as president, calling for “stability” after the more than two year vacancy was filled.

“The State of Qatar welcomes the election of Lebanese army commander General Joseph Aoun,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it hoped his election would “contribute to establishing security and stability in Lebanon.”

US

US President Joe Biden said he strongly believed that Joseph Aoun is the right leader for Lebanon and congratulated him on his presidential election victory, the White House said in a statement.

“President Aoun will provide critical leadership as Lebanon and Israel fully implement that cessation of hostilities and as hundreds of thousands of people return to their homes and Lebanon recovers and rebuilds,” Biden said.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time.”

The US embassy in Lebanon also congratulated the country’s new president, pledging to support him in his mission.

“We… are committed to working closely with President Aoun as he begins his efforts to unite the country, implement reforms and secure a prosperous future for Lebanon,” the embassy said in a post on X.

Turkey

Turkey congratulated new President Joseph Aoun and said it hoped the new government in Beirut “will contribute to the stability of Lebanon.”

The foreign ministry said in a brief statement that it hoped Aoun’s election would also help bring about the “peace and prosperity of the region.”

UK

Britain welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president, saying it was looking forward to working with him to support stability in the war-battered nation.

“I congratulate General Joseph Aoun on his election as president of Lebanon,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote in a post on the X social media platform. “I look forward to working with his government to support Lebanon’s stability and prosperity.”