Joseph Aoun Elected as Lebanon's President After Prolonged Leadership Void
General Joseph Aoun becomes Lebanon’s president amid economic crisis and ongoing tensions with Israel. His election may signal a new political era for the country.
Politics
Reliable
Summary
General Joseph Aoun has been elected as Lebanon's president, filling a two-year vacancy left after Michel Aoun's term. Supported by the US and Saudi Arabia, Joseph Aoun pledges to reform the economy, assert state control over armed groups, and address corruption, amid challenges from Hezbollah. His election follows a ceasefire with Israel, and he emphasizes the need for legal reforms and strengthening military capabilities. Facing criticisms related to foreign influence, Aoun's presidency could herald significant changes in Lebanon’s political landscape.
Informed by:
From the Left
Joseph Aoun's election as president of Lebanon comes after more than two years of political deadlock, indicating a shift in the nation's leadership dynamics away from the entrenched political elite who have long prioritized personal interests over national stability.
The backing of international powers like the US and Saudi Arabia for Aoun positions him as a potential stabilizing figure capable of addressing Lebanon's longstanding economic and political crises, particularly in reducing Hezbollah's influence over state affairs.
Aoun's presidency might symbolize a new chapter for Lebanon, as his military background and promise to affirm state control over weapons, including Hezbollah's arsenal, could lead to greater independence for Lebanon's state institutions.
Informed by:
From the Right
The election of Gen. Joseph Aoun as president highlights a crucial turning point for Lebanon, bringing leadership after a debilitating two-year impasse and raising hopes for necessary reforms amidst a dire economic situation.
Aoun's presidency is backed by a broad political consensus following the withdrawal of Hezbollah's candidate, indicating that key political stakeholders recognize the necessity for change, bolstered by international support from the US, Saudi Arabia, and even cautious praise from Israel.
With his extensive military background, Aoun is well-positioned to navigate Lebanon's complex power-sharing structure and lead reforms that could address the country's pervasive corruption and economic difficulties, all while promising to uphold the rule of law.
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Highlights (14)
The presidential election marks “a great day for Lebanon, a step toward peace, security and stability.”
New York Sun
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Aoun's selection on Thursday is one important step toward addressing a decimated economy and financial system, and to marshal funds to repair costly destruction from a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that ended in November.
Lebanon chooses a new president after two years without one
NPR
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Aoun is widely credited with keeping the Lebanese military out of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which is both an Iran-sponsored terrorist group and one of the most powerful political factions in Lebanon.
Lebanon Elects Army Chief Joseph Aoun President After Two-Year Deadlock
Breitbart News
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But it will take much more to prove to the Lebanese people that the country has now truly turned a corner, and that its political leadership has the ability to actually make the lives of millions of Lebanese better – a role it has failed in for so many years.
Who is Joseph Aoun, the new president of Lebanon?
Al Jazeera
·Leans LeftThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
Aoun’s election marks a potential turning point for Lebanon, offering hope for stability and progress after years of political deadlock and economic turmoil.
Lebanese Parliament Elects Army Commander as President, Ending 2-Year Vacuum
Epoch Times
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The election of Aoun is the first step in ending Lebanon’s international isolation.
Lebanon elects Joseph Aoun as president after two-year vacancy
The Guardian
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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.
Lebanon elects new US-backed president after years of vacancy at position
Straight Arrow News
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Aoun's election is a big achievement for the Biden administration, which privately lobbied for Aoun and has been pushing to use the weakening of Hezbollah in the war with Israel to break the logjam around the election of a new Lebanese president.
Lebanon elects new president after more than two years of political crisis
Axios
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Lebanon's parliament has elected the country's army chief as president, ending a power vacuum that has lasted more than two years.
Joseph Aoun: Army chief elected Lebanon's president
BBC News
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The outcome reflected shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, with Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah badly pummelled from last year's war, and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in December.
Lebanon's army chief elected president, showing regional shifts
CNBC
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Aoun’s election is a first step towards reviving government institutions in a country which has had neither a head of state nor a fully empowered cabinet since Aoun left office.
Lebanon's army chief elected president, showing regional shifts
NBC News
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Lebanon's parliament elects army commander Joseph Aoun as president, breaking a two-year deadlock.
Lebanon's parliament elects army commander Joseph Aoun as president, breaking a two-year deadlock
ABC News
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The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the Israeli occupation.
US-backed army chief elected Lebanon’s president, ending years-long stalemate
CNN
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Lebanon’s fractious sectarian power-sharing system is prone to deadlock, both for political and procedural reasons.
Lebanon's parliament trying again to pick a president, after 12 failed attempts over 2 years
Associated Press
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