President of the Republic Joseph Aoun began his day with an early morning meeting at Baabda Palace with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati with whom he discussed general developments in Lebanon, particularly the ongoing negotiations to secure Israel’s withdrawal from remaining occupied towns in the south.
Talks also covered ministerial and administrative matters related to the caretaker government.
Baabda palace then hosted a series of diplomatic, economic, and judicial meetings, as President Aoun received a letter from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, delivered by the UAE chargé d’affaires, Fahed Al-Kaabi.
The letter congratulated Aoun on his election as president and invited him to deliver a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai, scheduled for February 11–13, 2025.
The UAE leadership also expressed a commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering collaborative progress.
In turn, President Aoun thanked the UAE for its consistent support and emphasized his aspiration for renewed Emirati tourism and investment in Lebanon.
President Aoun later met with a delegation from the Association of Banks in Lebanon, led by Chairman Dr. Salim Sfeir.
The delegation congratulated him on his election and presented proposals for resolving the banking crisis, emphasizing their readiness to cooperate in finding a shared solution to safeguard depositors’ rights and revive Lebanon’s banking sector.
President Aoun called for collective efforts between banks, the state, and depositors, stressing the importance of reforms to regain local and international trust.
Among the President’s other visitors was Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, who extended congratulations to President Aoun on his election and the progress in Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Amani reiterated Iran’s commitment to bolstering ties and offering assistance in various sectors, including economic development and infrastructure.
The President also met with Public Prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar, with whom he reviewed judicial affairs and the work of public prosecution offices.
President Aoun later hosted Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh, head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, who briefed him on her work and developments in the region.
In his remarks, President Aoun emphasized his dedication to reforms, urging collective action to achieve political, financial, and administrative stability, while prioritizing trust-building with the international community.
The President also expressed hope for forming a government promptly to focus on municipal elections and necessary reforms.
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