The term of office of the predecessor Michel Aoun, who despite the name is not related to Joseph Aoun, expired in October 2022. Since then, over ten attempts have been made to vote in a successor.
It was only now that it succeeded, but even Thursday's process in parliament was dramatic. In a first vote, 71 members out of 128 said yes, which was not enough since a two-thirds majority was required.
Wants to Nationalize Weapons
After new meetings behind the scenes, including with the powerful Shia militia Hezbollah, the members voted again. And then Aoun got 99 votes, in other words, approved.
The 60-year-old general has had close contacts with France during his time as army chief and is described as the USA's preferred candidate for the presidential post. Envoys from both countries have been on site in Lebanon ahead of the vote.
When Lebanon entered one of the worst economic crises in modern history in 2019, Aoun is believed to have played a major role in keeping the stabilizing military intact – despite the soldiers' salaries becoming almost worthless due to inflation.
When he announces after his appointment that the many weapons in Lebanon will be nationalized, parliament breaks out in long applause. Reporters on site, however, testify that parliamentarians linked to Hezbollah sit still.
He also promises to strengthen the rule of law in the country, where large protests have repeatedly broken out among the population who are tired of the widespread corruption.
Can Appoint New Government
The disarmament of armed groups is part of the ceasefire agreement that was concluded between Israel and Hezbollah in November after 13 months of war, which is estimated to have cost the already crisis-ridden state over eight billion dollars.
Lebanon is governed by a sensitive system where the president should be a Christian Maronite, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker a Shia Muslim.
It is the president who approves governments. Which in turn means that during the two and a half years when no agreement could be reached on a president, the country has been governed by a temporary government with limited powers.
