The Iran-backed militia is bowed but not broken – and it could still find a way to hijack Saudi funds for its own rehabilitation

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.

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.

Lebanon on Thursday appointed Major General Hassan Ouda as acting army chief, succeeding General Joseph Aoun, who was elected president by parliament earlier in the day, bringing an end to a political vacuum that had existed since October 2022.

A devastating economic crisis, a political power vacuum, massive corruption and most recently the war between Hezbollah and Israel: For a long time, things were not looking good for Lebanon. But, after two years without a president,

MP Michel Daher stated that he wants a prime ministerial candidate who can work effectively with President Joseph Aoun, noting that he will nominate someone the president is comfortable collaborating with.

Lebanon has elected a new president after two years of political indecision, but not before some unexpected characters received votes — including Sen. Bernie Sanders, an American Jew.

As part of the congratulations extended to newly elected President Joseph Aoun, U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood issued a statement regarding Lebanon’s presidential elections. He described January 9 as a great day and hoped the elections would pave the way for forming a strong government committed to fighting corruption.

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s new president and former army commander Joseph Aoun has maintained a low profile. Those who know him say he is no-nonsense, kind and averse to affiliating himself with any party or even expressing a political opinion — a rarity for someone in Lebanon’s fractured, transactional political system.

Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's army chief who was elected president on Thursday, is a political neophyte whose position as head of one of the country's most respected institutions helped end a two-year deadlock.

President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Lebanon in all fields during the tenure of incoming Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.