Lebanese President Aoun holds first official meeting with Prime Minister Mikati

On Friday morning, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Baabda Presidential Palace, marking Aoun's first official engagement after his election on Thursday.

Following their meeting, Mikati emphasized the need for clear constitutional steps to form a new government, stressing that it must be capable of effectively addressing the crises facing Lebanon. He highlighted the importance of launching a comprehensive initiative to rescue the country.

Mikati also underscored the necessity of reinforcing state authority across all Lebanese territories, particularly in the area south of the Litani River. He stated, "We are entering a new phase aimed at disarming illegal weapons and establishing the state's presence in all regions."

This meeting serves as an initial step toward restoring stability to Lebanese institutions, following a prolonged presidential vacancy that adversely affected government operations and delayed critical decisions to tackle the country's economic and political crises.