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Lebanon Elects Army Chief Joseph Aoun as President with 99 Votes, Backed by International Support

Jan 11, 2025, 12:19 PM

Lebanon has elected Joseph Aoun, a 60-year-old Maronite Christian who has served as the army chief since 2017, as its new president, ending a presidential vacuum that lasted over two years. Aoun secured 99 votes in the second round of a secret-ballot election held by the Lebanese Parliament, which consists of 128 lawmakers. His initial tally of 71 votes in the first round fell short of the required majority of 86 votes. The election followed the resignation of former President Michel Aoun in October 2022. Aoun's election marks a significant political shift in the country, supported by key international players including the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia. These nations had pressured the speaker of parliament, Nabih Berri, to expedite the election process. Initially opposed by Hezbollah, Aoun's candidacy was eventually endorsed by Suleiman Frangieh, a rival candidate with ties to the ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Aoun's presidency is seen as a potential stabilizing force for Lebanon, particularly in the context of recent regional developments, including a ceasefire with Israel after more than a year of conflict.