Lebanon’s parliament has elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as president, breaking a two-year political deadlock that left the nation without a head of state.
Aoun, 60, secured the presidency with the backing of key political factions and international support from the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia.
His rival, Suleiman Frangieh, a Hezbollah-backed candidate, withdrew his bid on Wednesday and endorsed Aoun, paving the way for a resolution to the prolonged stalemate.
The election follows Lebanon’s recent mediation of a ceasefire to end a 13-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which weakened Hezbollah and caused widespread destruction in its territories.
In his inaugural address, Aoun declared Lebanon had entered “a new phase in its history” and emphasized the state’s “exclusive right to bear arms,” referencing Hezbollah’s military influence. He outlined priorities for his six-year term, including the reconstruction of war-affected regions like southern Lebanon, Beirut’s suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley, with the World Bank estimating rebuilding costs at $8.5 billion.
Aoun also pledged to tackle Lebanon’s ongoing crises, including an economic collapse, the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the need for critical reforms. Under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, the presidency must be held by a Maronite Christian. However, deep political divisions led to 12 failed election attempts since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.
In Thursday’s voting, Aoun initially fell short of the required two-thirds majority but secured 99 votes in the second round with support from Hezbollah and its ally, Amal. Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad described the election delay as a strategic effort to achieve “national consensus.”
International leaders, including UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the US embassy in Beirut, welcomed Aoun’s election as a critical step toward restoring stability and governance in Lebanon.
Celebrations erupted nationwide as Aoun, dressed in a dark suit rather than his military uniform, inspected guards and was sworn in as president.
Despite the election resolving the presidential vacancy, Lebanon still faces significant challenges, including the lack of a functioning government since May 2022.
Aoun’s immediate priorities include appointing a prime minister, forming a government, and addressing Lebanon’s pressing economic and political crises.
