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.

In a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who had called to congratulate him on winning the elections, Aoun said, “Saudi Arabia would be the first destination in his visits abroad”