Lebanon Elects Joseph Aoun as President, Ending Two-Year Vacancy

The army chief’s election signals a potential turning point for the crisis-stricken nation, with international backing and calls for reform.

• Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army commander since 2017, was elected president after securing 99 votes in the second round of parliamentary voting.
• The presidency had been vacant for over two years due to political deadlock, exacerbating Lebanon’s economic collapse and governance crisis.
• Aoun’s election followed Hezbollah’s weakened influence after its war with Israel and the fall of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, leading to a shift in parliamentary support.
• Aoun has pledged to consolidate state control over weapons, signaling a challenge to Hezbollah’s military autonomy, while emphasizing national unity and reform.
• The election has garnered international support from nations including the U.S., France, and Saudi Arabia, who see Aoun’s presidency as a step toward stability and unlocking financial aid for Lebanon.

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