U.S. Says Aoun Election a 'Moment of Opportunity', Urges Respect for U.N. Resolutions

The U.S. on Monday described Michel Aoun's election as president of Lebanon as a “moment of opportunity,” while urging the next government to “uphold Lebanon’s international obligations.”

“The United States congratulates the people of Lebanon on the election of President Michel Aoun, in accordance with Lebanon’s constitution. This is a moment of opportunity, as Lebanon emerges from years of political impasse, to restore government functions and build a more stable and prosperous future for all Lebanese citizens,” said U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby in a statement.

“As Lebanon forms a new government, we look to all parties to uphold Lebanon’s international obligations, including those contained in U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701,” he added.

Kirby also underlined that Washington will “continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lebanese people and support Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, security, and stability.”

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon meanwhile took to Twitter to congratulate the Lebanese people and Aoun on “today’s election and this moment of opportunity for Lebanon.”

Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 war between Hizbullah and Israel while Resolution 1559 calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, including Aoun's ally Hizbullah.

Earlier in the day, Lebanese lawmakers ended a lengthy political vacuum by electing as president ex-army chief Aoun, who promised to protect the country from spillover from the war in Syria.

Syria's five-year war has been a major fault line for Lebanon's political class, and analysts have warned Aoun's election will not be a "magic wand" for divisions that have long plagued parliamentarians.

The next challenge will be forming a government, which is expected to take months of wrangling. Presidential media office chief Rafik Chlala told reporters consultations on naming a premier would begin within 48 hours.

The parliament that elected Aoun has twice extended its own mandate, avoiding elections, because of disagreements over a new electoral law.

Aoun had long eyed the presidency, and his candidacy was backed from the beginning by Iran-backed Hizbullah, his ally since a surprise rapprochement in 2006.

Aoun was tipped to become president after receiving key support for his nomination earlier this month from al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia.