The United Arab Emirates has reopened its embassy in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after years of limited diplomatic engagement, the UAE’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The decision follows the election of Lebanon’s new president Joseph Aoun last week, ending a prolonged 15-month leadership vacuum in the country.
A high-level UAE delegation arrived in Beirut on Sunday to oversee the reopening of the embassy, acting on directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. This move comes after a direct call between Sheikh Mohamed and President Joseph Aoun.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) highlighted that the reopening reflects the strong and enduring ties between the two nations, built on mutual respect and shared regional interests. The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and stability, while pledging comprehensive support for the Lebanese people across economic and developmental sectors.
“The reopening of the UAE embassy is a testament to the longstanding fraternal relations between our peoples and underscores the UAE’s steadfast support for Lebanon’s stability and development,” the statement read.
A new chapter in Lebanese politics
The UAE’s move coincides with a pivotal moment for Lebanon. On Thursday, the country’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, as president. His election marks the end of a 15-month presidential vacuum that left Lebanon in a protracted state of political paralysis.
General Aoun, 60, secured 99 votes in a second-round parliamentary ballot after initially falling short of the required majority. His path to the presidency was cleared when Hezbollah-backed candidate Sleiman Frangieh withdrew from the race. Aoun’s election garnered broad support, signalling a rare moment of consensus among Lebanon’s deeply divided political factions.
The country remains gripped by an economic crisis that began in 2019, with its currency losing value and millions pushed into poverty.
President Aoun faces the challenge of forming a new government, a process likely to involve extended negotiations among Lebanon’s sectarian factions. His leadership will also be critical in implementing a recent ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by Washington and Paris.