Little Steps

Lebanese lawmakers elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as president Thursday, ending a two-year presidential vacuum that had paralyzed the government, stalled critical reforms, and heightened fears of a wider collapse amid ongoing economic and political crises, the Washington Post reported.

Aoun – who is the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and a US-backed candidate – secured broad political support, including from rival blocs in parliament, signaling a rare moment of consensus in the deeply divided nation.

Thursday’s vote was the first parliamentary session to elect a president since June 2023 and the 13th attempt since 2022, when Aoun’s predecessor Michel Aoun – who is not related to the army chief – completed his six-year term.

The breakthrough came after Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful political and military faction, endorsed the army leader during the second round.

Hezbollah initially withheld its votes in the first round to signal its influence but ultimately backed Aoun to promote “national cohesion.”

Observers noted that the shift comes as the Iran-backed group is facing weakened military and political standing after its war with Israel and the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, CNN wrote.

The election also comes amidst the implementation of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Under the agreement, Israeli forces must withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, with the Lebanese military taking over to prevent a security vacuum.

Aoun will be overseeing this process and managing post-war reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates will cost around $8.5 billion.

In his acceptance speech, Aoun pledged to address Lebanon’s deep economic crisis, promising reforms to unlock foreign aid and declaring a “new era” for the nation.

He vowed to “monopolize weapons” under state control – a statement that indirectly challenges Hezbollah’s armed dominance.

Analysts view Aoun’s election as a step toward restoring functionality to Lebanon’s fragile system, but warned of obstacles ahead, including Hezbollah’s enduring influence and the challenge of forming a government capable of enacting reforms.

Lebanon’s confessional power-sharing system requires the president to be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister to be Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament to be a Shiite Muslim.

While the presidency’s powers were diminished after the 1975-1990 civil war, the role remains critical for signing laws, ratifying treaties, and forming governments.