Lebanon’s parliament has elected the country’s army chief, Joseph Aoun, as president, ending a political deadlock that lasted more than two years.
Aoun’s candidacy for the largely ceremonial presidency, a post reserved for a Maronite Christian under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, garnered support from key political factions, as well as from the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia. A rival candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, who had been backed by Hezbollah, the influential Shia militia and political party supported by Iran, withdrew on Wednesday and endorsed Aoun.
Aoun’s election follows a ceasefire agreement six weeks earlier to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, which left Hezbollah weakened and devastated areas under its control. While the Lebanese army, led by Aoun since 2017, was not involved in the conflict, it plays a crucial role under the ceasefire, tasked with deploying troops to southern Lebanon as Israeli forces withdraw and ensuring Hezbollah ends its armed presence there by January 26.
In his first speech to lawmakers following his election on Thursday, Aoun declared that “a new phase in Lebanon’s history” had begun. The 60-year-old pledged to use his six-year term to restore the Lebanese state’s monopoly on the use of force, addressing Hezbollah’s armed presence, which has long exceeded the capabilities of Lebanon’s national army. This, he said, would be a priority as part of his broader goal of restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.
Aoun also committed to rebuilding the regions of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley, which were heavily damaged during the recent war. The World Bank estimates the reconstruction will cost $8.5 billion. Additionally, he promised to push forward political and economic reforms crucial for Lebanon, which has endured a devastating economic crisis, the worst in modern history, as well as the 2020 Beirut port explosion that claimed over 200 lives.
Although the presidency is largely symbolic, Aoun’s role includes signing bills into law, consulting with political parties on the appointment of a prime minister, and approving the cabinet before it is submitted to parliament for a vote of confidence.
Lebanon has lacked a functioning government since parliamentary elections in May 2022. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati was unable to form a new cabinet before President Michel Aoun’s term expired in October 2022, leaving the government in a state of paralysis. The deeply divided parliament failed to elect a successor on 12 separate occasions.
Aoun’s candidacy gained momentum on Wednesday, when Frangieh, who had been Hezbollah’s preferred candidate, stepped aside and endorsed the army chief, saying Aoun had “the qualifications to preserve the position of the first presidency.”
In the first round of voting on Thursday, Aoun received 71 votes—15 short of the two-thirds majority required in the 128-seat parliament. Another 37 lawmakers, including many from Hezbollah and its ally Amal, cast blank ballots, while 20 ballots were invalid. Hours later, in the second round, Aoun was elected with 99 votes, securing support from Hezbollah and Amal.
Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad stated that the delay in electing a president sent a message that the group was committed to safeguarding national unity.
As the result was announced by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, celebrations erupted across the country. Aoun, now in a dark suit rather than his army uniform, arrived at parliament to inspect the guards before being sworn in.
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, hailed the election as “a long-awaited first step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional vacuum and providing the Lebanese people with the functioning state institutions they deserve.” She urged that a new prime minister be designated and a government formed without delay, emphasizing that the challenges ahead were too significant to be postponed.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Aoun on his election, calling it a “crucial step” toward reform and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty and prosperity. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut also expressed its commitment to working closely with Aoun to support Lebanon’s efforts to unite, implement reforms, and secure a prosperous future. Meanwhile, Iran’s embassy congratulated Aoun, expressing hope for continued cooperation between the two countries in the service of their mutual interests.
