9th January 2025 – (Beirut) Lebanon’s army chief, Joseph Aoun, has been elected as the country’s president in the second round of voting held on Thursday, according to local media reports. Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128 members of parliament present, marking the conclusion of over two years without a president in Lebanon.
In the initial voting round earlier in the day, Aoun did not achieve the necessary two-thirds majority, receiving insufficient support to win outright. This prompted a two-hour adjournment before the parliamentary session resumed for a second round, where a simple majority of 65 votes was required for victory. In this round, Shibli Mallat, a prominent legal figure, received two votes, while nine lawmakers cast blank ballots, and 13 voted for “sovereignty and the constitution.” Five votes were deemed invalid.
Following his election, Aoun entered the parliament building in downtown Beirut, where he took his oath before lawmakers and delivered an inaugural address. He highlighted the urgent need for reform within Lebanon’s political framework, stressing the importance of legal and judicial integrity.
“Interference in the judiciary is forbidden, and there will be no immunity for criminals or corrupt individuals. There is no place for mafias, drug trafficking, or money laundering in Lebanon,” Aoun declared.
The political stalemate in Lebanon had left the presidency vacant since the term of former President Michel Aoun ended on October 31, 2022. During this period, a caretaker government has been managing the nation, while parliament failed to elect a successor in 12 electoral sessions.
At 60 years old, Joseph Aoun is not related to his predecessor, Michel Aoun. He is viewed as a preferred candidate by both the United States and Saudi Arabia, whose backing is considered vital for Lebanon’s recovery following a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
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