Hezbollah, Syria congratulate Michel Aoun on winning Lebanese presidency

Newly elected Lebanese President Michel Aoun (2nd L), reviews the honor guards upon arrival to the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut, Lebanon October 31, 2016. (Photos by Reuters)

The Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah and the Syrian government have congratulated Michel Aoun over his election as Lebanon’s new president.

According to a statement released by Hezbollah on Monday, Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah phoned Aoun and congratulated him over his election as the head of state.

“Nasrallah wished Aoun a long life and good luck with his national responsibilities," added the statement.

Last week, Nasrallah endorsed Aoun and called upon all Lebanese political parties to join forces and put a favorable end to the presidential void in the Arab country.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad also congratulated his new Lebanese counterpart and voiced hopes that Aoun’s election would "contribute to reinforcing stability in Lebanon and to bringing about a better future for the Lebanese people."

People carry pictures of newly appointed Lebanese President Michel Aoun while waving Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) flags in the Haret Hreik area, southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon October 31, 2016.

Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered his felicitations while noting his country’s unwavering support for the Lebanese government, nation, and Hezbollah.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed Aoun’s election and called for the immediate formation of a new government in the country which had been without a head of state for 29 months.

After four rounds of voting, including two unexpected repeat votes, Aoun secured the presidency on Monday by winning the support of 83 out of 127 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win.

After election, Aoun stressed that he will not spare any efforts to liberate the Lebanese land from Israel’s occupation.

“It will be my top priority to develop the resources of the army in order for it to become capable of fending off all threats to our country and to safeguard our land and protect its independence and sovereignty,'' he added.