President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, arrived on Monday afternoon at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, marking his first official trip abroad since his election as President, upon the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
President Aoun is accompanied by Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji,
President Aoun was received at the airport’s royal lounge by the Deputy Emir of the Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Secretary of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Ayaf Al Saud, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al Qasabi, Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Advisor and Head of the Lebanese Affairs’ Committee Prince Yazid bin Farhan, Riyadh Police Director General Major General Mansour Al-Otaibi, Royal Protocol official Fahd Al Sahil, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, and Lebanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Fawzi Kabbara.
Shortly upon his arrival, President Aoun said that the visit serves “as an opportunity to emphasize the depth of the Lebanese-Saudi relations and an occasion to express Lebanon’s appreciation for the role played by the Saudi Kingdom in supporting Lebanon’s stability, safety, and the functioning of its constitutional institutions.”
The President added that the visit serves also an occasion to express Lebanon’s appreciation for the assistance provided by the Kingdom to Lebanon in various sectors.
President Aoun added: “I look forward with great hope to my talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this evening, which will pave the way for a future visit during which agreements will be signed to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”
President Aoun also pointed out that ”the visit to Saudi Arabia will also be an opportunity to thank the Kingdom for embracing the Lebanese expatriates who came here many years ago and continue to do so, and who contributed to its urban and economic development.”
After the official welcome ceremony at the airport, President Aoun headed to his residence at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
The President of the Republic is scheduled to hold official talks with Saudi Crown Prince, at Al-Yamamah Palace, at 10:00 pm this evening.
Source: NNA
