Joint Statement on the Occasion of the Visit of the President of the Lebanese Republic to the Kingdom of Bahrain
Manama, July 23 (BNA): A joint statement was issued on the occasion of the visit of HE the President of the Lebanese Republic to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Following is the text of the occasion:
In light of the longstanding, close and brotherly ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Lebanese Republic, and given the two countries’ shared determination to further enhance bilateral cooperation at all levels, His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, made an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 22 and 23 July 2025.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and H.E. President Aoun held a session of official talks, during which they reviewed the progress of the distinguished ties between the two countries, as well as ways to develop and strengthen these relations across all fields to advance their common interests, and benefit their brotherly peoples.
Talks included a review of bilateral economic, trade, investment and social cooperation, and ways in which these could be further developed and upgraded to even broader horizons. The two sides noted that this could take place through strengthening the role of the private sector, expanding bilateral trade, increasing visits by economic and trade delegations, fully activating signed agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as deepening consultation and coordination at all levels, while also expanding cooperation in culture, education, tourism and health.
His Majesty the King and His Excellency the President discussed the latest regional developments and their impacts on the security and stability of the Middle East. In this connection, they reviewed regional and international efforts to settle conflicts, resolve crises through dialogue and diplomacy, and establish the foundations for security and stability in the region. They underscored the two countries' determination to continue cooperation and coordination to prevent any acts which undermine regional security and stability, including by combating terrorist organizations and preventing their financing.
The two sides underlined the need to respect the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and adherence to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighbourliness.
His Majesty the King reaffirmed Bahrain's firm support for the sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity of the Lebanese Republic, and its rejection of any external interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs, noting also the importance of respecting the historical specificity, religious diversity, and the values of civilized coexistence that characterize the Lebanese society. His Majesty also reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s support for the efforts of President Aoun and the Lebanese government to advance political and economic reform and to strengthen national unity in the interests of the Lebanese people.
The two sides expressed their sincere appreciation for the United States’ tireless efforts to enhance security and stability in Lebanon, and underscored the need to continue engagement with regional and international partners to build confidence and secure the necessary support for Lebanon in overcoming current challenges and commencing reconstruction efforts.
His Majesty restated Bahrain's support for Lebanon's efforts to maintain the ceasefire with Israel, to reduce escalation, as well as to ensure the withdrawal of Israel from occupied Lebanese territories, while implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and adhering to the Taif Agreement. His Majesty the King also underlined the importance of limiting the possession of arms to Lebanese state forces only, and extending government control over all Lebanese territory, noting the need to support the Lebanese army and security forces to fulfil their mandate to maintain Lebanon's security and stability, while strengthening the role of UNIFIL. His Majesty also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for restoring Lebanon's vital and irreplaceable role in its Arab and regional environment.
President Aoun expressed thanks and appreciation for His Majesty the King's support for Lebanon, welcoming growing Lebanese-Gulf relations and the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Lebanon's sovereignty, stability, territorial integrity and national unity. He wished the Kingdom success in hosting the upcoming Gulf summit, congratulating Bahrain on its election to non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2026 - 2027.
The two sides reviewed the outcomes and initiatives of the May 2024 Bahrain Summit, which sought to develop joint Arab action and consolidate regional security and stability. They underlined the importance of the Summit’s call for an international conference to address the Palestinian issue, advance the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and strengthen efforts to recognize it as a full member of the United Nations.
The two sides reaffirmed their support for efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, seeking a final solution to the Palestinian issue in a manner which preserves the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the Arab Peace Initiative approved by the Beirut Summit in 2002.
The two sides also stressed the need to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and detainees, and accelerate the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population. They expressed their countries’ support for the Arab plan on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza adopted at the Cairo Summit on March 4, 2025.
Both sides also reiterated their support for international efforts towards resuming negotiations between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the latter’s nuclear file, with the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman, ensuring the peaceful status of the Iranian nuclear programme, strengthening the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency and making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
The two sides also underlined their support for regional and international efforts to uphold maritime security, protect waterways in the region, and confront activities that threaten the security and stability of the region and the world, including targeting commercial ships and threatening shipping lanes, international trade, and oil facilities in GCC countries.
At the conclusion of his visit, His Excellency President Joseph Aoun expressed his sincere appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for the warm reception and hospitality he and his accompanying delegation received during his visit to his second country, the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Majesty the King extended best wishes to President Joseph Aoun for continued success in his important work, and to the brotherly Lebanese people for security, stability, development and prosperity.
