Army chief elected Lebanon's president after years of deadlock

Lebanon's parliament has elected the country's army chief, Joseph Aoun, as president, ending a power vacuum that had lasted for more than two years. Aoun's election marks a significant shift in Lebanon's political landscape and lays the groundwork for the country's future development.

Aoun's candidacy was supported by several major political parties, including the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia. According to the sectarian power-sharing system, the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian. Previously, a Hezbollah-backed candidate withdrew from the race on Wednesday, switching his support to Aoun and paving the way for his election.

His election comes six weeks after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah. The war weakened Hezbollah and devastated areas under its control. The Lebanese army, led by Aoun since 2017, did not participate in the conflict but played a key role in the ceasefire agreement. The agreement requires the Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon after Israeli forces withdraw and ensure Hezbollah ends its armed presence in the area by January 26.

In his parliamentary address after his election on Thursday, Aoun declared that a "new phase in Lebanon's history" had begun. He pledged to ensure that the Lebanese state has the "exclusive right to bear arms" during his six-year term, a clear reference to Hezbollah. Hezbollah had built up a force deemed more powerful than the Lebanese army to resist Israel prior to the 13-month conflict, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions ending their last war in 2006.

Aoun stated that one of his main priorities is to repair the damage caused by "Israeli aggression" in southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the eastern Bekaa Valley. The World Bank estimates that the war caused $8.5 billion (£6.9 billion) in damages. He also pledged to push forward with political and economic reforms, which are widely considered necessary for the multi-crisis-ridden country. These crises include a six-year economic depression, in addition to the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, and the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people.

As president, Aoun is not responsible for administrative decisions. However, he will be responsible for signing bills into law, consulting with 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 been without a functioning government since the last parliamentary elections in May 2022. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has failed to secure support for forming a new cabinet, leaving his government with limited power. Since then, parliament has failed to elect a new president 12 times.

On Wednesday, Aoun's candidacy gained further support when Suleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement, who had been supported by Hezbollah for the past two years, withdrew from the race, stating that the army chief was "qualified to hold the position of first president." In the first round of voting on Thursday, 71 MPs voted for Aoun, 15 votes short of the required two-thirds majority in the 128-seat parliament. Another 37 MPs, reportedly many from Hezbollah and its ally Amal, cast blank ballots, while 20 votes were declared invalid.

Hours later, with the support of Hezbollah and Amal, Aoun won 99 votes in the second round of voting and was elected president. Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad said that by delaying the election, the group had "sent a message that we are guardians of national consensus." Television stations broadcast scenes of celebration across the country after Speaker Nabih Berri announced the results.

Aoun then arrived at the parliament building wearing a dark suit instead of his military uniform. He inspected a guard of honor before entering the assembly hall to take the oath of office. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, said the election was 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 added: "A prime minister must be appointed and a government formed immediately. The tasks facing the Lebanese state are too great to waste any more time."

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Aoun on his election, calling it a "crucial election" that "paves the way for reforms and the restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty and prosperity." The US embassy in Beirut said it was committed to working closely with Aoun to support his efforts to "unite the country, implement reforms and ensure a prosperous future for Lebanon." The Iranian embassy also sent its congratulations and said it looked forward to working with Lebanon "in a manner that serves the common interests of our two countries."