Joseph Aoun elected as new president of Lebanon

Beirut, January 9, 2025

After two years of political turmoil in Lebanon's parliament, Chief of Staff Joseph Khalil Aoun was elected as the country's new president. In the second round of the 13th presidential election in parliament, Aoun received 99 votes, more than the 86-vote threshold required to secure his election.

According to the country's law, the Lebanese president must receive at least two-thirds of the votes in the 128-seat parliament. In the first round, Aoun received 71 votes. In the second round of the parliamentary session, 18 votes were invalid, 9 were abstained, and 2 were cast for other candidates.

The post of president in Lebanon has been vacant since the end of the term of former President Michel Aoun on October 31, 2022. Disagreements between political groups and interference from foreign countries have complicated the electoral process. The previous 12 sessions have not produced a president due to the confrontation between Hezbollah and opposing political blocs.

Clashes on the border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the conflict in Gaza, further delayed the election. However, following a ceasefire agreement in November 2024, the presidential election returned to the political agenda. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced that the 13th session would be held on January 9, 2025.

Joseph Khalil Aoun was born in 1964 in Sin el-Fin. He joined the Lebanese Army in 1983 and was appointed Chief of Army Staff in 2017. Aoun has received numerous awards during his military service. He is fluent in French, English, and Arabic, and has a degree in political science, military studies, and international relations.

Under Lebanon's constitution, the president must be a Maronite Christian. The country's parliamentary seats are divided among sectarian groups, making it difficult to reach a political consensus. Joseph Aoun is the fifth person elected president from the military.