Lebanese President Aoun begins official visit to Algeria, highlights deep ties and shared aspirations
Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji and Information Minister Paul Morcos accompanied him.
President Tebboune welcomed President Aoun upon arrival. The two leaders stood for a ceremonial 21-gun salute and the national anthems of both Lebanon and Algeria before inspecting an honor guard made up of land, air, and naval forces. The presidents then proceeded to the airport's VIP lounge for a brief pause before Aoun then headed to his official residence.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, President Aoun expressed his appreciation for the invitation and highlighted the historic bond between Lebanon and Algeria.
"It is a great pleasure to set foot on the beloved land of Algeria, a brotherly country that holds deep affection for Lebanon and its people," Aoun said. "My visit today, at the kind invitation of my brother President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, reflects the depth of our fraternal ties and underscores the importance of strengthening cooperation across all sectors."
He praised Algeria's steadfast support for Lebanon during times of crisis, recalling its positions at the United Nations Security Council during the Israeli war on Lebanon and the immediate assistance it provided after the 2020 Beirut port explosion. He also noted Algeria's role in hosting hundreds of Lebanese students in its educational institutions.
"These noble and fraternal stances are a true embodiment of Arab solidarity and shared values," Aoun said. "Algeria remains a strategic depth for Lebanon in the Arab and African context."
He emphasized that the visit would include discussions with Algerian leadership on enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic, commercial, cultural, media, health, education, and technological sectors. The agenda will also cover pressing regional issues and the importance of constructive dialogue and joint Arab action.
President Aoun expressed confidence that the visit would yield positive outcomes and reaffirmed Lebanon's appreciation for Algeria's continued support.
Algerian streets, especially the route from the airport to Aoun's residence, were adorned with Lebanese and Algerian flags and welcome banners to mark the occasion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
Lebanese expatriates voice concern: What's next for the 2026 elections?
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Akram Chehayeb A month ago, lawmakers from the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party, and several independent MPs attempted to break the quorum of a legislative session in protest over Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's refusal to include a proposal on the agenda to amend the electoral law and scrap the six parliamentary seats allocated to the Lebanese diaspora. The proposal was also not referred to a parliamentary subcommittee. While the attempt to break quorum during last month's legislative session ultimately failed, it's equally valid that the MPs pushing to amend the electoral law either forgot—or deliberately ignored—the issue of expatriate voting. This omission prompted several Lebanese expatriates to stage a sit-in outside Nejmeh Square during the session, calling on the General Assembly to amend the articles governing diaspora voting. Many expatriates now fear that the political forces holding sway over Parliament may work to derail the 2026 elections altogether—or at the very least, block the participation of overseas voters. These suspicions were only reinforced by an admission from Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab. In reality, the parliamentary subcommittee tasked with reviewing electoral law proposals hasn't convened in over a month. This comes with just 112 days left before the November 20 deadline for expatriate voter registration. With the clock ticking, the question remains: which political party is willing to shoulder responsibility for safeguarding the credibility of the upcoming elections?
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
State over arms: Lebanon seeks unity ahead of crucial Cabinet meeting
Report by Raneem Bou Khzam, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi In a firm address, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed the state's exclusive right to hold arms, emphasizing this principle as a cornerstone of Lebanon's national policy. The statement comes amid mounting internal and international pressure following the Lebanese government's response to a U.S. proposal concerning the escalating situation with Israel. The president outlined eight key points in Lebanon's official response, placing immediate emphasis on halting all Israeli hostilities, including targeted assassinations, securing Israel's withdrawal behind internationally recognized borders, and the release of Lebanese detainees. The response also addressed broader concerns, including the return of Syrian refugees and measures to combat smuggling and drug trafficking. With Hezbollah's position central to the debate, attention now shifts to the upcoming Cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday. According to LBCI sources, the group is currently leaning toward participating in the session. Intense consultations are expected to take place in the meantime to avoid confrontation and secure consensus. Hezbollah remains steadfast in its stance, maintaining that Israel must cease its aggressions and fully withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory before any discussions regarding the party's remaining arsenal can proceed. Whether the Cabinet can agree on this sequence of priorities remains uncertain. The president's decision to bring the issue before the Cabinet is seen by many as a move to regain control over the national security agenda amid increasing domestic and foreign pressure. His remarks reaffirm his constitutional commitment to a national defense strategy, though the U.S. is not giving guarantees. Political actors close to Hezbollah have signaled a preference for dialogue and de-escalation, warning that any rushed concessions, such as prematurely handing over arms, could cost Lebanon valuable negotiating leverage. While there is no official call to boycott the Cabinet session, its delay is aimed at facilitating ongoing talks among the country's top leadership in hopes of finding a peaceful path forward.
Nahar Net
8 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Berri says Lebanese pinning their hopes on army
by Naharnet Newsdesk 9 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday hailed the Lebanese Army on the 80th anniversary of its founding. 'Eighty years have passed since the creation of this unifying national institution and it still baptizing our holidays with loyalty, safeguarding sovereignty through great sacrifices, and protecting unity with the honor of belonging," Berri said in a statement. He added: "I salute with pride and appreciation the Lebanese Army with its command, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, martyrs and wounded. It is the bet and focus of the Lebanese people's hopes for security, safety, defending the land and people, and creating Lebanon's revival." Berri's remarks come after President Joseph Aoun said that 'nothing represents a guarantee more than the army's weapons in the face of aggression.' 'Let us all stand behind the army, for experience has proven that its weapons are the most powerful, its leadership is the most reliable, and loyalty to it is the firmest,' Aoun added. He accordingly called on Hezbollah and its 'environment' to "bet on the Lebanese state alone," saying he "will not be lenient with those not concerned with rescuing the country" or those who "don't care" for it.
