Beirut – Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Thursday he was relieved concerning the outcome of his visits to both Saudi Arabia and Qatar, adding that the direct and indirect outcome of the visit will soon appear and will serve the interest of both countries and people.

Aoun said during a chat with reports aboard the plane, on his way back to Beirut, that “Relations with Gulf countries, and Saudi Arabia at the forefront, have been restored. The Lebanese will witness more Gulf activity in Lebanon than before.”

The President expressed delight that all the issues of mutual Lebanese, Saudi, and Qatar interest had received “full and clear support”, and will be followed-up via mutual ministerial visits between both countries.

“Lebanon is taking big and swift steps towards recovery and progress. It is gradually re-establishing its original status at the Arab, regional, and international scenes,” the President said.

During a television interview broadcasted on Thursday, Aoun also said that the misunderstanding with some Gulf countries has been cleared out, adding that a new chapter was opened.

Aoun said his election as president is a “triumph to the Lebanese axis,” underlining that Lebanon is outside the frames of axes building its friendship with everyone. “Every war has an end, the wiser we are, the quicker we end it,” he said.

When asked about the so-called Hezbollah, Aoun said the party was now involved in regional conflicts and is now part of the regional-international crisis. The president said the issue is far more important than Lebanon’s capacity to address, because it involves the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Concerning his position regarding the Taef Accord, Aoun said he never asked for the amendment of this accord and had never rejected it. “My position was clear in the letter I sent then to President Francois Mitterand to specify the timetable of the Syrian army withdrawal from Lebanon, something that only happened after 15 years and which proves that we were right in our estimations.”

Aoun said “the forthcoming parliamentary elections will be held on the basis of a new election law,” adding “the proportionality law provides the representation of all the citizens.”


Speaking about the issue of providing aids to the Lebanese army including the Saudi military aid, Aoun said that this matter is under consultation amongst the concerned ministers, but no final decision has yet been taken due to the presence of some standing matters.