Lebanon Elects Joseph Aoun as President, Vowing State Control Over Arms

Jan 9, 2025, 05:41 PM

Lebanon's Parliament has elected Joseph Aoun, the army chief, as the new president, ending a more than two-year power vacuum. Aoun, a Maronite Christian, took the oath of office and pledged to rebuild areas destroyed by Israeli aggression, including the south, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs. He emphasized that the state should have a monopoly on carrying weapons, signaling a potential challenge to Hezbollah's armed status. Aoun promised not to settle Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, ensuring their right of return. He called for a serious dialogue with Syria to address border security and the return of Syrian refugees. Aoun also vowed to uphold the ceasefire with Israel. International leaders welcomed the election, with U.S. President Joe Biden calling Aoun the "right leader" for Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Aoun and announced plans to visit Lebanon soon. The election is seen as a potential shift in Lebanon's political landscape, possibly weakening Hezbollah's influence.