Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun elected president of Lebanon

BEIRUT,—Lebanon’s Parliament elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president on Thursday, ending a prolonged political deadlock that had left the presidency vacant since October 2022.

Aoun, a U.S.-backed military leader, secured the presidency after winning 99 votes in a second-round vote, surpassing the 86 votes required.

His victory is seen as a major shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, signaling a weakening of Hezbollah’s influence and the resurgence of Saudi Arabia’s role in the country.

The Lebanese presidency is held by a Maronite Christian, a key element of the country’s power-sharing system among religious groups. However, a deep political divide had prevented lawmakers from selecting a successor to former President Michel Aoun. Political paralysis and infighting left Lebanon without a leader for over a year.

Joseph Aoun’s election marks a turning point, particularly after the defeat of Hezbollah in last year’s war with Israel, which saw heavy losses for the Iran-backed group.

The election also comes on the heels of the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, which had long been a key ally to Hezbollah.

According to political sources, Aoun’s victory represents a pivot away from the influence of Hezbollah and Syria, both of which had shaped Lebanon’s politics for years.

The shift is also seen as a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s reassertion of influence in Lebanon, after a period of growing Iranian and Hezbollah dominance.

Political analysts believe Aoun’s election could pave the way for greater international support, particularly from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and France, who have been pushing for his election. Sources close to the Saudi royal court revealed that international financial aid, including from Riyadh, would be contingent on Aoun’s election.

In the lead-up to the vote, momentum behind Aoun grew after Hezbollah’s preferred candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew from the race and endorsed the army chief. The withdrawal of Frangieh, a figure closely aligned with Hezbollah, allowed Aoun to secure the necessary votes from the Shi’ite bloc, including Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement.

Lebanon has been grappling with severe economic crises, including a currency collapse and soaring inflation, which have pushed much of the population into poverty. With Joseph Aoun now in office, hopes are high that his leadership will provide the stability needed to tackle the country’s many challenges.

However, analysts caution that Lebanon’s deeply divided political environment could make governance difficult, even with a new president in place.