The Federal Government has extended its congratulations to Joseph Aoun on his election as the new President of Lebanon.
Aoun, a former Army chief, won the tightly contested election after polling 99 parliamentary votes out of 128 in the second round of votes.
In a statement on Saturday signed by spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG expressed its commitment to a stronger bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The statement read, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria offers its congratulations to Joseph Aoun following his election as President of the Republic of Lebanon.
“Nigeria looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant relationship for the benefit of all our people,” the FG said.
Aoun who was supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia, in his acceptance speech, vowed to usher in a new era and restore the Lebanese state’s control over weapons.
According to him, his election is the beginning of a “new era” in Lebanon, vowing to consolidate weapons under the authority of the state.
He also vowed to put an end to Israel’s occupation of the country’s territory.
“The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the Israeli occupation,” Aoun said in his speech.
“My era will include the discussion of our defensive strategy to enable the Lebanese state to get rid of the Israeli occupation and to retaliate against its aggression,” he said .
Lebanon has been without a president since October 2022, when former President Michel Aoun’s tenure ended.
Since then, the country made 12 unsuccessful attempts to elect a new leader, as the militant group insisted on electing someone backed by them.
