NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and the First Lady, Mrs. Nehmat Aoun, arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington at 3:00 PM (Washington time)—10:00 PM Beirut time Saturday —marking the start of an official visit to the US capital at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

President Aoun and the First Lady were welcomed by the Chief of Protocol at the US Department of State, the Air Force Base Commander, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Head of Lebanon’s Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Ahmed Arafa, Military Attaché at the Lebanese Embassy Brigadier General Oliver Hakimeh, Consul Wissam Boutros, embassy staff, and the Middle East Airlines station manager in Washington, Adib Al-Qassis.

President Aoun, First Lady, and the accompanying delegation then proceeded to their place of stay, where the President met with Ambassador Moawad and the embassy’s diplomatic and administrative staff. Aoun was briefed on work progress, the situation of the Lebanese expatriate community, and other matters related to the presidential visit.

President Aoun is scheduled to begin his official engagements tomorrow by meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He will be received by President Trump at the White House before noon on Tuesday.

President Aoun will also hold a series of meetings with members of the Senate and US administration officials.