Lebanese parliament elects Gen Joseph Aoun as president

Lebanon’s Parliament has elected army chief General Joseph Aoun as president, ending a vacancy that had persisted since October 2022.

Gen Aoun secured the presidency with 99 votes in the second round of parliamentary voting, after receiving 71 votes in the first round. The 128-member parliament requires 86 votes for a first-round victory, with subsequent rounds needing a simple majority of 65 votes.

Under Lebanon’s power-sharing system established by the Taif Agreement, the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian. Gen Aoun, who has led the Lebanese army since 2017, becomes the country’s 14th president after twelve previous failed election attempts.

The new president faces significant challenges, including economic recovery from the 2019 financial crisis and regional security concerns.

Constitutional amendments were required to address Gen Aoun’s military service status, as Article 49 typically prohibits active service members from running.