Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect army commander Joseph Aoun as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum. The vote came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are seeking

As the country endured economic crisis and a devastating war, lawmakers failed 12 times to pick a head of state. They have now settled on Joseph Aoun, the leader of the military.

The outcome showed the diminished sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group after its devastating war with Israel.

Lebanese government bonds extended their three-month-long rally on Thursday as the crisis-ravaged country's parliament voted in a new head of state for the first time since 2022.

General Joseph Aoun was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, which funds, trains, and arms the Lebanese military and helped broker a cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah in November.

General Joseph Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament, after winning an endorsement from the Hezbollah-backed candidate. The career soldier is the fifth army commander to be elected president in Lebanon’s history.

Lebanon’s parliament is set to convene Thursday to attempt to elect a head of state for the 13th time during a presidential vacuum of over two years.

NOW A LOT OF THE DAMAGE FROM THIS THREE STORY BUILDING IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. AND WE CAN SHOW YOU THAT HERE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS THAT THE FIRE AT 39 MECHANIC STREET WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 11:00 LAST NIGHT.

The 'Greater Israel' map includes significant portions of modern-day Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, sparking widespread condemnation from Arab nations who view it as an affront to their sovereignty.

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Israel confirmed that 23-year-old hostage Hamzah AlZayadni's body was recovered from Gaza, alongside his father.