The Lebanese parliament elected Chief of Staff Joseph Aoun as president yesterday, marking a significant step in overcoming more than two years of political crisis. This election follows weeks after a fragile ceasefire agreement ended 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, occurring at a time when Lebanese leaders are seeking international assistance for reconstruction. Joseph Aoun was the preferred candidate of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, two countries whose support Lebanon will rely on during the reconstruction process.
Hezbollah had initially supported Suleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement and an ally of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, Frangieh withdrew from the race on Wednesday and announced his support for Aoun, clearing the way for the latter’s election.
Randa Slim, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told the Associated Press that international pressure, combined with Hezbollah’s weakening due to its war with Israel and the diminished influence of its Syrian ally Assad, were key factors leading to yesterday’s outcome.
In the first round of voting, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement cast blank ballots, signaling that “he cannot be elected president without our approval.” Aoun was subsequently elected in the second round. Mohamed Raad, the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, stated, “We postponed the vote to send a message that we are the guardians of Lebanon’s sovereignty and national reconciliation.”
One of Hezbollah and Amal Movement’s key demands during the election process was maintaining control over the finance ministry. An agreement addressing this demand was reportedly reached, particularly in negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Despite international pressure and its diminished military and political strength, Hezbollah demonstrated its decisive influence in the presidential election.
In his victory speech, Aoun proclaimed, “Today begins a new era in Lebanon’s history.” He committed to implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel, which requires the withdrawal of both Hezbollah and Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Aoun also pledged to work towards a national security strategy that aims to “dismantle the Israeli occupation and repel its aggression.” He emphasized the need for the Lebanese state to hold a monopoly on the right to bear arms, an apparent reference to Hezbollah’s weapons.
Sami Atallah, founding director of the Beirut-based think tank The Policy Initiative, told the Financial Times: “I don’t think [Hezbollah] could afford to torpedo the process, especially after the war and its consequences for reconstruction and challenges facing the Shia community. They felt compelled to compromise and accept a candidate.”
Joseph Aoun, 60, was educated in the U.S. and has established strong ties with Washington, which funds and trains the Lebanese army. This has earned him the moniker “America’s man.” However, some MPs criticized foreign influence in Lebanon’s internal affairs, with some even combining his name on ballots with those of the U.S. and Saudi ambassadors: “Joseph Amos bin Farhan.”
While Aoun’s election addresses the prolonged presidential vacuum, the next challenge lies in appointing a prime minister and forming a cabinet. The president’s powers are limited in Lebanon, but filling this role was essential before government formation could proceed.
The incoming government faces the daunting task of enforcing the ceasefire agreement, managing reconstruction after the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and addressing Lebanon’s severe economic crisis. Now in its sixth year, the crisis has devastated the national currency, wiped out savings, and reduced state-owned electricity supply to a few hours daily. In 2022, Lebanese leaders secured a preliminary bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but progress on the reforms required to finalize the deal has been limited.
