General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), congratulated the brotherly Lebanese people on the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic by Parliament, extending his best wishes to His Excellency on this confidence.

Moreover, His Excellency expressed his hope that the election of General Aoun as President would contribute to restoring security and peace in Lebanon and achieving the aspirations of the Lebanese people for stability, prosperity, and development.

He also expressed his hope that during the presidency of Joseph Aoun, the historical relations between the GCC and Lebanon would be strengthened, emphasising the positions stated in the final statement issued by the Supreme Council during its 45th session regarding the GCC's steadfast support for the brotherly Lebanese people, its ongoing support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability, and for the Lebanese Armed Forces that protect its borders. 

The statement also stressed the importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 to restore lasting security and stability in Lebanon and to ensure respect for its territorial integrity, political independence, and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, and to enable the Lebanese government to exercise control over all Lebanese territories, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement.