UAE President receives Lebanese counterpart

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, in his first official visit to the country since taking office.

His Highness welcomed the guest, wishing him success in leading brotherly Lebanon to achieve stability, development and prosperity for its people, and that Lebanon regain its important position in its Arab, regional and international surroundings.

President Aoun’s visit signals a warming of ties with the UAE, as Lebanon seeks a closer relationship with Gulf countries.

Last month, the UAE officially reopened its Embassy in Beirut after years of closure.

The two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern and exchanged views on them, stressing the need to work to strengthen stability and peace in the region for the benefit of all its peoples.

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the relations between the UAE and Lebanon are historic and that the Emirati and Lebanese people are united by ties of love, appreciation and mutual respect. His Highness pointed out that the reopening of the UAE Embassy in Beirut embodies the UAE's commitment to supporting Lebanon and its aspirations for a new phase of fruitful relations between the two countries.

His Highness stressed the UAE's supportive stance to strengthen Lebanese state institutions and their role in preserving the country's sovereignty, security and stability, in addition to supporting Lebanon's unity and territorial integrity.

For his part, His Excellency Joseph Aoun expressed his thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm welcome and his appreciation for His Highness's supportive stance towards Lebanon, stressing his keenness to strengthen Lebanon's relations with the UAE in various fields for the benefit of their peoples.