After more than two years of presidential impasse following the end of former President Michel Aoun's term, the Lebanese Parliament elected Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the 14th President of the Lebanese Republic.
Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese Army, now holds the presidency, following the terms of his predecessors: Emile Lahoud, Michel Suleiman, and Michel Aoun.
This came after the Lebanese parliamentarians' vote on Thursday, where they failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority (86 votes) in the first round of voting earlier in the day, which is required for a candidate to win.
In the second round, they successfully elected the president following a two-hour break, during which Aoun reportedly met with the heads of the Loyalty to the Resistance and Development and Liberation blocs for more than an hour.
After 71 deputies voted for the army commander in the first round, he won in the second round, with 99 recorded votes.
It is worth noting that all 128 Lebanese representatives participated in the presidential election, with ambassadors from several countries in attendance, including those of the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Egypt, and China.
Joseph Aoun has served as the Commander of the Lebanese Army since March 8, 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji. His military career began in 1983, marking the start of his long service in the army.
He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2013 and continued to rise through the ranks, achieving the rank of General in 2017. That same year, he was appointed Commander of the Army, leading during one of the most sensitive periods in Lebanon's history.
Lebanon faced significant security and political challenges during this period, including the notable "Dawn of the Outskirts" battle in 2017. In this operation, the Lebanese Army, in cooperation with Resistance forces, fought against terrorist organizations on the outskirts of the towns of Arsal and al-Qaa, located on the Syrian border.
The country also faced significant security challenges following the outbreak of protests on October 17, 2019, and the prolonged Israeli war on Lebanon in 2023, which lasted over 60 days. These events placed new responsibilities on the Lebanese Army, particularly with the signing of the ceasefire agreement.
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