Lebanon’s new president to make first official visit to Saudi Arabia

The new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Saturday his first official overseas trip would be to Saudi Arabia during a call with the Kingdom’s Crown Prince, the president’s office said.

Lawmakers elected the 61-year-old army chief on Thursday, bringing to an end two years without a president for the multi-confessional, crisis-wracked country.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called to congratulate Aoun on Saturday and invited him to visit his country, the Lebanese presidency and official Saudi news agency SPA said.

Aoun responded that Saudi Arabia would be his “first destination”, his office said.