The presidency in Lebanon has been vacant since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, with deeply divided factions unable to agree on a candidate who can win enough votes in the country. The Assembly includes 128 seats, according to Reuters. Mr. Joseph Aoun is not related to Mr. Michel Aoun.
Mr. Joseph Aoun after being elected president of the country at the parliament building in the Lebanese capital Beirut on January 9
General Aoun failed to get the required 86 votes in the first round of voting, but passed the threshold with 99 votes in the second round, according to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, after lawmakers from the militia Hezbollah and its Shi’ite ally the Amal Movement support Mr. Aoun.
After being declared president, Mr. Aoun resigned as commander-in-chief of the army and went to parliament to take the oath of office.
In his inauguration speech, Mr. Aoun welcomed the beginning of a “new era” in Lebanon, pledging to lift the country from countless economic and political crises. He also made a rare promise of “complete arms control” at the behest of the state, an apparent reference to Hezbollah’s arsenal.
Previously, the presidential candidate long supported by Hezbollah, Mr. Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew and declared his support for the army commander. Reuters quoted a source as saying that envoys from France, the United States and Saudi Arabia told Mr. Berri that international financial aid, including aid from Saudi Arabia, depends on his election. Aoun.
“There is a very clear message from the international community that they are ready to support Lebanon, but that requires a president, a government. We have received a message of support from Saudi Arabia.” , Lebanese lawmaker Michel Mouawad told Reuters before the vote.
The election of General Aoun as president is the first step toward restoring government institutions in a country that has been without a head of state or a fully empowered cabinet since Michel Aoun left office. Lebanon is in need of international support to rebuild after the conflict.
General Aoun played an important role in consolidating the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel brokered by Washington and Paris in November 2024. The terms require the Lebanese army to deploy troops to southern Lebanon as Israeli and Hezbollah troops withdraw.
Mr. Joseph Aoun (61 years old) has been the commander of the Lebanese army backed by the US since 2017. Under his direction, US aid continues to flow into the Lebanese army, part of the policy. America’s long-term focus is on supporting state institutions to curb Hezbollah’s influence, according to Reuters.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson said today that she was “very happy” about General Aoun being elected president. Ms. Johnson and other foreign envoys attended the January 9 session at the Lebanese Parliament, where Mr. Aoun was elected president, according to Reuters.
