Lebanese Parliament Elects Army Chief Joseph Aoun as New President

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Lebanon's parliament has elected Joseph Aoun, the commander of the armed forces, as the country's new president. The vote took place on Thursday and marked the end of a prolonged political deadlock, with the presidency remaining vacant since October 2022. Aoun secured 99 votes in a second round of voting, gaining crucial support from the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, after their initial candidate withdrew.

In his acceptance speech, Aoun emphasized the necessity of establishing state control over weapons and expressed a commitment to rebuilding war-torn areas, particularly in the south, which suffered from recent conflicts with Israel. His election reflects significant shifts in Lebanon's political landscape, particularly the diminished influence of Hezbollah following its losses in last year's war.

The election also signals a potential revival of Saudi influence in Lebanese politics, which had been overshadowed by Iranian power in recent years. U.S. and French diplomats played a crucial role in advocating for Aoun's presidency, tying international financial support for Lebanon's reconstruction to his election. Experts suggest that Aoun's leadership could usher in a new phase of governance and stability for Lebanon, which has faced severe economic and political crises.

Aoun's next steps include consulting with lawmakers to appoint a new prime minister, a process that could take time given the complex political alliances in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system.

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