After more than two years without a president, the Lebanese Parliament elected (January 9) the army commander, Joseph Aoun, as president of Lebanon with a large majority of 99 out of 128 members of parliament. His election marks a significant achievement for the anti-Hezbollah camp in Lebanon and reflects the current weakness of the organization within the Lebanese political system. Hezbollah, battered and bruised by the war, was forced to accept Aoun’s election after losing its parliamentary blocking majority and its ability to impose its own candidate as president, as it had demanded before the war.
Joseph Aoun, a Christian Maronite (as required by the Lebanese constitution), is a veteran military officer who has served in the Lebanese Army since 1983 and was appointed commander of the army in 2017. In his inaugural speech, Aoun declared that a new phase was beginning in Lebanon. He pledged to rebuild the war’s devastation and expedite the formation of a new government (the current government has been a caretaker government since May 2022). He emphasized the exclusive authority of the security forces to maintain state security and enforce the law—a clear reference to Hezbollah’s weapons, which the group claims are essential for Lebanon’s defense.
Interestingly, Aoun also addressed the Palestinian issue in his inaugural speech, expressing support for the “Right of Return” while also endorsing a two-state solution—a form of recognition of Israel’s right to exist.
Aoun’s election has raised hopes both within Lebanon and among Western actors, particularly the United States, which worked diligently to ensure his path to the presidency. However, Aoun faces significant challenges, primarily from Hezbollah, which will strive to preserve its independence and influence within Lebanon through its armed power. Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc leader, Mohammad Raad, wasted no time declaring after Aoun’s speech that Hezbollah remains the true protector of the Lebanese people.
In the immediate term, Aoun faces a dual challenge: forming a functional government capable of advancing the reforms needed for Lebanon’s recovery while limiting Hezbollah’s influence (assuming he cannot prevent Hezbollah’s participation in the government). Additionally, he must appoint a new army commander to lead the Lebanese Army in implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel and preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in southern Lebanon.
After more than two years without a president, the Lebanese Parliament elected (January 9) the army commander, Joseph Aoun, as president of Lebanon with a large majority of 99 out of 128 members of parliament. His election marks a significant achievement for the anti-Hezbollah camp in Lebanon and reflects the current weakness of the organization within the Lebanese political system. Hezbollah, battered and bruised by the war, was forced to accept Aoun’s election after losing its parliamentary blocking majority and its ability to impose its own candidate as president, as it had demanded before the war.
Joseph Aoun, a Christian Maronite (as required by the Lebanese constitution), is a veteran military officer who has served in the Lebanese Army since 1983 and was appointed commander of the army in 2017. In his inaugural speech, Aoun declared that a new phase was beginning in Lebanon. He pledged to rebuild the war’s devastation and expedite the formation of a new government (the current government has been a caretaker government since May 2022). He emphasized the exclusive authority of the security forces to maintain state security and enforce the law—a clear reference to Hezbollah’s weapons, which the group claims are essential for Lebanon’s defense.
Interestingly, Aoun also addressed the Palestinian issue in his inaugural speech, expressing support for the “Right of Return” while also endorsing a two-state solution—a form of recognition of Israel’s right to exist.
Aoun’s election has raised hopes both within Lebanon and among Western actors, particularly the United States, which worked diligently to ensure his path to the presidency. However, Aoun faces significant challenges, primarily from Hezbollah, which will strive to preserve its independence and influence within Lebanon through its armed power. Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc leader, Mohammad Raad, wasted no time declaring after Aoun’s speech that Hezbollah remains the true protector of the Lebanese people.
In the immediate term, Aoun faces a dual challenge: forming a functional government capable of advancing the reforms needed for Lebanon’s recovery while limiting Hezbollah’s influence (assuming he cannot prevent Hezbollah’s participation in the government). Additionally, he must appoint a new army commander to lead the Lebanese Army in implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel and preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in southern Lebanon.