PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed the 鈥渃rucial election鈥� by Lebanese lawmakers of army chief Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year vacuum at the top, calling his victory an opportunity for reform in the country.

Aoun faces the daunting tasks of overseeing a ceasefire in south Lebanon and naming a prime minister able to lead reforms demanded by international creditors to save the country from its worst economic crisis in history.

Aoun is perceived as being best placed to maintain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah after a devastating war this autumn.

鈥淐ongratulations to President Joseph Aoun on this crucial election,鈥� Macron wrote on X in a message in both French and Arabic.

鈥淚t paves the way for reform and the restoration of Lebanon鈥檚 sovereignty and prosperity,鈥� he added.

The French foreign ministry urged the formation of a strong government to drag the country out of a political and economic crisis.

Extending France鈥檚 鈥渨arm congratulations鈥� to Aoun, the French foreign ministry said his election 鈥渙pens a new page for the Lebanese鈥� and urged 鈥渢he appointment of a strong government鈥� that can help the country recover.

Qatar also praised the election of Aoun as president on Thursday, calling for 鈥渟tability鈥� after the more than two year vacancy was filled.

鈥淭he State of Qatar welcomes the election of Lebanese army commander General Joseph Aoun,鈥� the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it hoped his election would 鈥渃ontribute to establishing security and stability in Lebanon.鈥�

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi congratulated Aoun and wished him success in achieving stability, prosperity, and stronger ties with the GCC.

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as its armed forces.

He emphasized the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to maintain Lebanon's political independence and territorial integrity. He also called on the Lebanese government to assert control over its territories per UN resolutions and the Taif Agreement.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said Lebanon would overcome the 鈥渞epercussions of Israeli aggression鈥� under the leadership of its new president.

鈥淲e are confident that our brotherly Lebanon will overcome the repercussions of the Israeli occupation鈥檚 aggression and achieve development and prosperity,鈥� Abbas said in a statement, referring to Israel鈥檚 war with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which ended late last year.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Aoun on his election, said a statement released by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Thursday.

鈥淔ollowing a prolonged presidential vacuum of over two years, the Secretary-General welcomes this important development, the statement read.

鈥淗e encourages the swift formation of a new government, to address the needs and aspirations of the Lebanese people, including with respect to preserving the country鈥檚 security and stability, strengthening state authority across Lebanon as well as advancing much-needed reforms. The United Nations underscores its continued commitment and support in this regard.

鈥淭he Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations鈥� commitment to support the strengthening of the sovereignty, stability and political independence of Lebanon in accordance with the Taif Accord and Baabda declaration, and the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1559 (2004) and other relevant resolutions, which are essential to the stability of Lebanon and the region,鈥� the statement added.

The UN Security Council also congratulated Aoun and affirmed 鈥渟trong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon鈥� while also calling for a full implementation of resolution 1701, according to a statement read by president of the council for January, Algeria鈥檚 Amar Bendjama.

Council members also emphasized the importance of the election in ensuring fully functional state institutions to address the 鈥減ressing economic political and security challenges鈥� of the country.

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, issued a statement congratulating Aoun, adding that she welcomed the election as a long-awaited first step toward overcoming Lebanon鈥檚 political and institutional vacuum and providing the Lebanese people with the functioning state institutions they deserved.

鈥淎 prime minister must be designated and a government formed without delay. The tasks ahead of the Lebanese state are too monumental to waste any more time,鈥� she stressed.

鈥淣ow is the moment for each and every decision-maker to put the interest of Lebanon above all personal or political considerations.

鈥淭he election of a president offers renewed hope and an opportunity to pave the way for progress towards consolidating the cessation of hostilities and preserving the country鈥檚 security and stability, including by strengthening state authority across Lebanon and advancing comprehensive and sustainable reforms,鈥� she added.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen described the election of Aoun as Lebanon鈥檚 new president as a 鈥渕oment of hope鈥� for the war-battered country.

鈥淭he way is now open to stability and reforms. Europe supports this path,鈥� the European Commission president wrote on X.

Germany鈥檚 Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the election of Aoun as Lebanon鈥檚 new president was a chance for 鈥渞eforms and change鈥� in the war-ravaged country.

鈥淎fter many years of crisis and stagnation, this is a moment of opportunity to bring about reforms and change,鈥� Baerbock said on social media platform X. 鈥淕ermany stands by the side of the people of Lebanon on the way forward.鈥�

Russia also welcomed the election of a new president of Lebanon, which it hopes will bring political stability to the country.

The foreign ministry in a statement said the election of army chief Joseph Aoun 鈥渙pened up the prospect of strengthening internal political stability in Lebanon and righting the country鈥檚 complex social and economic position.鈥�

Britain welcomed the election of Aoun as Lebanon鈥檚 new president, saying it was looking forward to working with him to support stability in the war-battered nation.

鈥淚 congratulate General Joseph Aoun on his election as president of Lebanon,鈥� Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote in a post on the X social media platform. 鈥淚 look forward to working with his government to support Lebanon鈥檚 stability and prosperity.鈥�

* With agencies