Lebanon’s Parliament broke more than two years of gridlock on Thursday, Jan. 9, to elect a new president. It’s a crucial move to bring the country closer to stability as it recovers from economic collapse and a war between Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel within its borders.
Lawmakers elected U.S.-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun, who has been the commander of the Lebanese military since 2017, as president in a second round of voting.
Aoun secured his win after the first round of votes from lawmakers left him short of the majority needed to become president.
Aoun’s election is a critical step for a country enduring economic free fall and a war between Israel and Hezbollah that has left large swaths of the country destroyed.
The election of a new president also comes at a crucial time for the Middle East, as a new Syrian government takes over after the fall of the Assad regime and amid a ceasefire between Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel.
Lebanon’s international backers, including the United States, have reportedly suggested financial support for a postwar rebuild in Lebanon is dependent on the election of a new president.
The World Bank reportedly estimates the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has cost Lebanon $8.5 billion in damages.
The country has been without a president since October 2022 when Michael Aoun, who is not related to the new president, stepped down.
During Michael Aoun’s six years in power, Hezbollah had considerable influence as a political force in the region but has since been weakened by a 14-month war with Israel.
Lebanon’s Parliament had failed in 12 previous attempts to elect a successor. However, foreign policy analysts note that Lebanese lawmakers likely felt pressure to elect a U.S.-supported president due to its need for financial support from international partners.
The new president oversaw Lebanon’s armed forces, which saw backing from the United States. Aoun is also reportedly widely respected across the country.
The freshly elected president also does not have a close relationship with Hezbollah, which his predecessor worked with when they were a more powerful political force in the country.
Aoun is now expected to appoint a prime minister with the help of Parliament. The prime minister will then form a government, which could reportedly be a lengthy process.
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