Cyprus president first foreign leader to meet Aoun

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has become the first foreign leader to officially visit Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun. The visit marks the first by a foreign head of state since Aoun, a former Lebanese army commander, was chosen by the Lebanese parliament to fill the presidency after a vacancy of more than two years.

The two leaders held discussions at the presidential palace in Baabda, located southeast of Beirut. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Christodoulides emphasized Cyprus’s commitment to Lebanon, stating that his visit was a demonstration of support for Lebanon and its people through actions rather than words.

Lebanon and Cyprus share a long history of close ties. Situated less than 200 kilometers apart, Cyprus has historically provided military aid to strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces and served as a refuge for thousands of Lebanese during the country’s civil war from 1975 to 1990. In more recent years, the economic collapse in Lebanon, which began in late 2019, prompted many Lebanese citizens to seek a new life in Cyprus.

The two nations have also engaged in extensive discussions regarding border management. These talks have been particularly significant as many Syrian refugees in Lebanon, as well as an increasing number of Lebanese affected by the ongoing economic crisis, have attempted to reach Cyprus by sea aboard smuggler boats.