President Bola Tinubu has assured the new President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, of his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties under his administration.

President Tinubu said Nigeria looks forward to a vibrant relationship with the new Lebanon leader that would benefit citizens of both countries.

Naija News reports that Aoun was elected to be the President of Lebanon on Thursday, 9th January, by 99 votes of the country’s 128-seat parliament.

In a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on behalf of the Minister, Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria promised to work with the new regime to uphold global peace and security.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria offers its congratulations to Joseph Aoun following his election as President of the Republic of Lebanon.

“Joseph Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament to win the presidency, thereby breaking a deadlock that has left the country without a Head of State since October 2022.

“Nigeria looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong and vibrant relationship for the benefit of all our people,” it read.

Aoun was born in 1964 on the outskirts of Beirut. He is a Maronite Christian. He was, before his election the head of Lebanon’s military institution.

He was promoted as a young officer in 1985, at the height of the Lebanese war (1975-1990), and spent some time in the Special Forces.