Kerry Tells Aoun U.S. to Maintain Support for Army, Urges Quick Govt. Formation

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday congratulated President Michel Aoun on his election, stressing that Washington will maintain its support for the Lebanese army and urging a speedy formation of a new government, the presidency said in a statement.

Kerry underlined that the U.S. will continue to stand by Lebanon and by the army in its anti-terror fight and endeavor to preserve stability, the statement added.

The top U.S. diplomat also noted that his country is looking forward to a speedy formation of a new government in Lebanon.

Aoun for his part thanked Kerry for his congratulatory call, stressing “the importance of maintaining U.S. assistance to the Lebanese army, which is seeking to boost security and stability in the country.”

Aoun also noted that “reaching a quick political solution for the Syrian crisis would reflect positively on the situation in Lebanon from all aspects, especially as to finding a solution to the plight of the Syrian refugees in the country.”

Aoun was elected president on Monday after around two and a half years of presidential void. His presidential chances were largely boosted by a key endorsement from ex-PM Saad Hariri in mid-October.

Aoun's nomination also received crucial support from Hizbullah and the Lebanese Forces.

Binding parliamentary consultations for picking the new premier will be held on Wednesday and Thursday and Hariri is poised to be re-designated as premier.

Analysts have warned that Aoun's election will not be a "magic wand" for Lebanon, which has seen longstanding political divisions exacerbated by the war in neighboring Syria and has struggled to deal with an influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.

In addition to pledges of economic growth and security, Aoun said in his oath of office that Lebanon must work to ensure Syrian refugees "can return quickly" to their country.

Aoun also pledged to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region."