Lebanon Elects Army Chief Joseph Aoun as President Amid Financial Crisis
A New Era Begins
Lebanon’s lawmakers elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday, bringing an end to a two-year vacancy in the position. The election is a crucial step towards lifting the war-battered country out of its financial crisis. Aoun, who turns 61 on Friday, arrived at parliament to swear his oath, wearing a dark suit and bright blue tie instead of his usual military uniform. "A new phase in the history of Lebanon begins today," he told the chamber.
Support and Celebration
Supporters erupted in celebration in Aoun’s home village of Aishiyeh in south Lebanon, where residents had gathered from the morning in front of the church, adorned with Lebanese flags and his portrait. "The president is Joseph Aoun," Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said after 99 lawmakers out of 128 backed his candidacy.
Challenges Ahead
Aoun faces daunting tasks, including overseeing a ceasefire on the Israeli border and naming a prime minister to lead reforms demanded by international creditors to save the country from the worst economic crisis of its history. He is Lebanon’s fifth army commander to become president, and the fourth in a row. Under multi-confessional Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, as do military chiefs.
The Path to Election
The Mediterranean country has been without a president since the term of Michel Aoun ended in October 2022, with tensions between the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and its opponents scuppering a dozen previous votes. International pressure mounted for a successful outcome with just 17 days remaining in a ceasefire to deploy Lebanese troops alongside UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon after a Hezbollah-Israel war last autumn. The president’s powers have been reduced since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.
Aoun’s Candidacy
Aoun was widely seen as the preferred pick of army backer the United States, as well as regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia. However, lawmakers from the pro-Hezbollah bloc voted blank in the first round of the vote, leaving Aoun short of the required two-thirds majority to win outright. The source said representatives from the bloc met Aoun at the parliament during a break before lawmakers returned for a second vote.
Protest and Controversy
Several lawmakers in the second round still objected to what they see as foreign interference in the vote. In protest, some rendered their ballot void by voting for "sovereignty and the constitution," a reference to the fact that Aoun’s election would have technically required a constitutional amendment. Under Lebanon’s constitution, any presidential candidate must have not held high office for at least two years.
Conclusion
Aoun’s election is a significant step towards stabilizing Lebanon’s political situation and paving the way for economic reforms. However, he faces numerous challenges, including negotiating a ceasefire on the Israeli border and naming a prime minister capable of leading reforms. The road ahead will be difficult, but Aoun’s election provides a glimmer of hope for Lebanon’s future.
FAQs
Q: Who is Joseph Aoun?
A: Joseph Aoun is the newly elected president of Lebanon and the chief of the Lebanese Army.
Q: Why is Aoun’s election significant?
A: Aoun’s election brings an end to a two-year vacancy in the presidency, a crucial step towards stabilizing Lebanon’s political situation and paving the way for economic reforms.
Q: What are Aoun’s challenges?
A: Aoun faces numerous challenges, including negotiating a ceasefire on the Israeli border and naming a prime minister capable of leading reforms.
Q: What is the significance of Aoun’s election for the economy?
A: Aoun’s election is a significant step towards stabilizing Lebanon’s economy, which has been battered by a financial crisis.