Arab and world leaders have congratulated Lebanon after its parliament elected army chief Gen Joseph Aoun to the country's presidency on Thursday, filling the position that had been vacant for more than two years.

The new president, a favorite of Washington, Paris and Riyadh, says he wants to rebuild his country, now in tatters.

Lebanon's newly elected President Joseph Aoun will visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Lebanese Presidency said on Saturday. The Presidency said the Crown Prince in a phone call invited Mr Aoun to visit the kingdom and the president stressed that Saudi Arabia will be his first destination during his foreign visits.