joseph aoun

Moody’s Economic Growth Projections for Lebanon

The US-based agency indicated that the election of President Joseph Aoun will pave the way for the formation of a fully empowered new government, with Aoun benefiting from the backing of international donors. The international agency noted that the Lebanese economy contracted by approximately 10% in 2024 but anticipates a recovery in economic ...

No More Palestinian Weapons Outside Refugee Camps

The issue of Palestinian weapons outside the refugee camps was discussed in a meeting that brought together the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee and Palestinian factions. At the end of the meeting, it was announced that the matter was settled and that no more arms existed outside the camps.   The meeting, held at the Grand Serail on ...

Salam Vows Full Implementation of 1701, Justice for Beirut Port Victims

In his first declaration after being nominated, Prime Minister designate Nawaf Salam emphasized the importance of restoring the state’s authority across all of Lebanon in accordance with the Taif Agreement. He also highlighted the need for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and related ceasefire provisions, and securing Israel’s ...

The Shiite Duo Concedes to Regional Shifts by Electing Joseph Aoun

“I did not come to engage in politics, but to build a state that can only be founded on justice and equality for all its components.” This statement, delivered by General Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's first president after its centenary, during his first official meeting with a congratulatory delegation, succinctly summarizes his vision and ...

UAE Embassy Reopens in Lebanon: A Diplomatic Milestone

The reopening of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Beirut, following a two-year closure, marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic ties between the two nations. This symbolic and strategic move, welcomed by the Lebanese government, heralds a new phase of cooperation and dialogue. What led to this decision, and what are its ...

President Aoun Says Government Formation Will Be 'Smooth and Quick'

Following the appointment of Judge Nawaf Salam as Lebanon’s Prime Minister (PM), President Joseph Aoun spoke to journalists outside the presidential palace on Monday, expressing his hope that the subsequent formation of the government would be “smooth and quick.” “We have plenty of work ahead of us,” he added. At the end of a long ...

Arab League Secretary-General Meets Lebanese Leaders: 'Progress Will Be Swift'

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, praised President Joseph Aoun’s election and voiced confidence that Lebanon is “poised for rapid progress unlike anything witnessed in recent years.” During his visit to Lebanon, Aboul Gheit underscored the urgency of forming a new government and extended an invitation for President ...

The Lebanese President and CENTCOM Chief Discuss the Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun and a top US general discussed on Monday the implementation of a fragile truce between Hezbollah and Israel in South Lebanon, the presidency said. The President and the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, met as a January 26 deadline to fully implement the terms of the ceasefire ...

The State to Oversee Security and Arms in the Palestinian Camps

President Joseph Aoun's recent inaugural address resonated with a pivotal call to disarm Palestinian factions within refugee camps and reinstate security control to the state. This longstanding issue, lingering since the 2006 dialogue, now stands at a unique crossroads, offering a chance to address a critical chapter that fueled the Lebanese Civil ...

Who Will Be the Next Lebanese Prime Minister?

The first half of the parliamentary consultations with President Gen. Joseph Aoun concluded with 12 votes for Judge Nawaf Salam and 7 votes for Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The second half begins at 2 PM, where more parliamentary blocs are to meet with Aoun.

Nawaf Salam Lebanon's New Prime Minister-Designate

Judge Nawaf Salam was nominated Monday as the next prime minister with the support of 84 MPs following a long day of parliamentary consultations with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda presidential palace. Salam, current president of the International Court of Justice, was favored over his "opponent," caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati who got 9 ...

A Tale of Two Aouns

As Joseph Aoun takes office as President of the Lebanese Republic, he inherits more than just a position: he carries a name weighed down by a heavy legacy. Michel Aoun, his predecessor, left his mark on Lebanon’s history as the embodiment of failed governance, an unwavering ally of Hezbollah and its destructive agenda for Lebanon, and a ...