President Nikos Christodoulides travels to Lebanon on Friday to meet with newly elected President Joseph Aoun.

Christodoulides said he was the first head of state to visit Aoun, with whom he will have a one-hour meeting in Beirut.

“We are the first country to visit Lebanon, so I will be going for an hour to the country to meet with the new president, whom I know very well, he was the army chief, and I will be going there with my associates,” he said.

He added that this was evidence of Cyprus’ role in efforts to address the current challenges of the region.

Christodoulides expressed satisfaction that Cyprus’ role was being recognised, especially by the EU.

“We are the EU member state in the region, we have excellent relations with all neighbouring countries and talks in the tripartite in Cairo were held in this context,” he added.

The visit comes just hours after Christodoulides welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Cyprus, triggering a massive demonstration, in addition to an earlier meeting at the palace with the foreign minister of the UAE.

On Wednesday, Christodoulides discussed the Middle East in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Regarding his meetings over the past few days, he said the main topic of discussions was regional developments.

There are some developments that some are trying to exploit to the detriment of the interests of other states in the region, Christodoulides said.

He added that all other states in the region are joining forces to address these challenges, so that no one can exploit the state of affairs to promote their own agenda.

“We are a region of particular geostrategic importance and all states with a common approach come together so that we can send the right messages and through specific action to avert anything that is against the creation of conditions of security and stability,” he said.

Replying to questions, Christodoulides said very specific issues were discussed with Herzog but nothing was to be made public.

Earlier, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the election of a new president is considered to be “particularly positive for Lebanon, as it is attempting to heal the wounds of political uncertainty.

“Electing a new president after years creates the preconditions for Lebanon entering a period of stability and progress,” he added.

Talks in Lebanon will focus on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as Lebanon’s home affairs.

Christodoulides will reiterate Cyprus’ readiness to offer assistance, its role as a pillar of stability, security and peace, and its will for closer cooperation.