Lebanese Parliament Selects Army Commander as President After 2-Year Vacancy

The army commander Joseph Aoun was elected as Lebanon’s new president by the parliament on Thursday, ending over two years of leadership vacuum and potentially paving the way for much-needed reforms and international assistance.

Lebanon is currently facing a severe economic crisis and aims to rebuild following a recent cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Aoun, unrelated to the former president, won the presidency after a second round of voting. This session was the 13th attempt by the legislature to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.

Suleiman Frangieh, formerly supported by Hezbollah, withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Aoun on January 8, clearing the path for Aoun, who was widely seen as the preferred candidate of both the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to the Congressional Research Service, Hezbollah holds 13 out of 128 seats in Lebanon’s parliament and has been part of the cabinet since 2005, currently holding two seats in the caretaker government.

Joseph Aoun’s election comes at a crucial time for Lebanon, amidst its financial crisis and challenges in implementing the recent cease-fire agreement with Israel.

Randa Slim from the Middle East Institute noted that Aoun’s international support could be beneficial for getting things done.

Lebanon’s power-sharing system, designed to balance religious communities, has often led to political deadlocks.

The president appoints a prime minister based on consultations with lawmakers.

Joseph Aoun becomes the fifth former army commander to assume the presidency, despite constitutional restrictions. His election required a special two-thirds majority due to these constraints.

Having served as army chief since 2017, Aoun’s election marks a potential turning point for Lebanon, offering hope for stability and progress after years of political deadlock and economic turmoil.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.