The EU notes that the appointment of Aoun as president of Lebanon opens an era of “hope and renewal”

BRUSSELS Jan 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Member States of the European Union have warmly welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as the new president of Lebanon, ensuring that this step opens a moment of “hope and renewal for the Lebanese people.”

“We commend the Lebanese parliamentarians for having reached a broad consensus, demonstrating responsibility,” said a statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the 27.

In this sense, the countries of the bloc emphasize that a “spirit of national unity” is “crucial” to allow the inclusive participation of all elements of society in public life, pointing out that this is key to “overcoming the consequences of the recent conflicts, advance reconstruction efforts and embark on a path of political stabilization and socioeconomic recovery.

Likewise, the EU underlines its expectation of a “rapid formation of a full-fledged government”, which is capable of carrying out “a reform-oriented and forward-looking programme”. This horizon will facilitate the relaunch of relations with the EU and international support, the declaration underlines.

Aoun has been elected as the new Lebanese president after more than two years of vacuum in office following the end of Michel Aoun’s mandate – with no family relationship with the new president – and amid complaints about a possible violation of the Constitution by find the chosen one still at the head of the Armed Forces.

Several parliamentarians have expressed harsh criticism of the situation during the parliamentary session and have stated that it represents a violation of the Magna Carta, which should be amended so that Aoun can take office, since it currently prevents the election of anyone as president. who has held a position of responsibility during the previous two years.

The vote has gone ahead after twelve failed attempts due to the legislative blockade between the blocs led by Hezbollah and its opponents, which has finally been broken in the midst of the ceasefire agreed at the end of November with Israel and in the face of international pressure to put end to the vacuum in the Presidency, considered key to getting the country out of the deep economic and social crisis in which it has found itself for years.