Spokesman Guo Jiakun stressed the importance Beijing attaches to its ties with Lebanon and reiterated its support for “safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

According to the spokesman, China will continue the push of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and will promote new development in bilateral relations.

After 800 days of a power vacuum, the Lebanese Parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as the 14th President of the Republic on January 9, after receiving the backing of 99 deputies in the second round of voting during the thirteenth parliamentary session.

The head of the armed forces became the fourth commander to occupy the presidential chair in the Baabda Palace after Émile Lahoud, Michel Suleiman and Michel Aoun.

Parliamentarians, national leaders, governments and Arab and international leaders congratulated General Aoun on his election to lead Lebanon.

Many experts consider that this outcome opens up new prospects for strengthening the country’s political stability and addressing its difficult social and economic situation.

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