IRIA News

4 minute read

After more than two years of political deadlock, Lebanon’s Parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president on January 9, 2025. This marked a significant step toward stability in a nation grappling with economic collapse, the aftermath of a devastating war, and a prolonged political vacuum.

The breakthrough came during the second round of voting, where General Aoun secured an overwhelming majority of 99 votes in the 128-seat Parliament. His election followed 12 failed attempts to choose a president since October 2022, when Michel Aoun completed his six-year term. Under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing agreement, the president must be a Maronite Christian.

“Today, a new phase in Lebanon’s history begins,” General Aoun declared in his victory speech. Celebrations erupted in Beirut as gunfire rang out at the end of a prolonged period of caretaker governance.

The vote also highlighted the shifting political landscape in Lebanon and the region. The election of General Aoun, who has served as the commander of the Lebanese military since 2017, comes at a critical time. Neighboring Syria is grappling with the fallout of a protracted civil war, and Hezbollah, the dominant political and military force in Lebanon, has been significantly weakened by its conflict with Israel.

Shifting power balance

The war between Israel and Hezbollah, currently suspended under a tenuous 60-day ceasefire, has inflicted $8.5 billion in damages on Lebanon, according to the World Bank. Analysts say the conflict has left Hezbollah with little room to maneuver politically.

The militant group, which had previously obstructed presidential votes by boycotting Parliament, ultimately endorsed General Aoun. Its candidate dropped out on the eve of the election.

Diplomatic pressure and international interest

The election followed a flurry of diplomatic activity, with international backers such as the United States and Saudi Arabia urging Lebanese lawmakers to break the political gridlock. Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy to the region, visited Beirut earlier in the week and met with General Aoun, emphasizing the urgency of electing a president.

Foreign diplomats, including the U.S. and Saudi ambassadors, as well as France’s special envoy to Lebanon, attended Thursday’s parliamentary session. The international community has indicated that postwar financial aid will depend on Lebanon’s ability to stabilize its political situation.

Challenges for the new President

General Aoun faces a daunting task. The economic crisis in Lebanon has plunged three-quarters of the population into poverty, and the country’s infrastructure and governance have been crippled by corruption and mismanagement. The war with Israel has only exacerbated these challenges.

In his victory speech, General Aoun pledged to restore stability and rebuild the country. “I pledge to rebuild what Israel destroyed,” he said, vowing that only the Lebanese state would wield weapons. This statement, aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s influence, drew applause from Parliament and international observers alike.

The election of General Aoun also necessitates an amendment to Lebanon’s Constitution, as senior civil servants are required to resign two years before running for public office. While such amendments have precedents, the move sparked heated debates in Parliament.

Forming a government

The next step for General Aoun is to appoint a prime minister, who, according to Lebanon’s sectarian system, must be a Sunni Muslim. The prime minister will then be tasked with forming a government. However, with no single faction holding a majority in Parliament, the process is expected to be fraught with challenges.

General Aoun’s military background has earned him respect across sectarian divides. His leadership of the Lebanese Armed Forces, widely regarded as the country’s only cross-sectarian institution, is seen as a source of hope for uniting Lebanon’s fractured political landscape.

International Implications

Diplomats and analysts are optimistic that General Aoun’s presidency will bolster Lebanon’s stability and advance efforts to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Israeli officials have expressed hope that the Lebanese Army will curb Hezbollah’s activities in southern Lebanon.

“I hope that this choice will contribute toward stability, a better future for Lebanon and its people, and to good neighborly relations,” said Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, on social media.