ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Lebanese lawmakers on Thursday elected army chief General Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year deadlock and vacancy of the position. 

 

Considered a man of "personal integrity," Aoun finally replaced Michel Aoun, whose term as president ended in October 2022, without a successor until Thursday.

 

"Today, a new phase in Lebanon's history begins,” Aoun, who had an apparent backing from the United States and Saudi Arabia, told Lebanese lawmakers after he was sworn in, adding he would “quickly” call for "parliamentary consultations" on naming a new prime minister and vowing that the state would have "a monopoly" on arms after the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

 

The newly-elected Lebanese president, 61, also vowed to respect a ceasefire currently in place with Israel, saying he would work to end “Israeli occupation.”

 

At the height of the Hezbollah-Israel war, Aoun kept his military on the sidelines of the conflict, ordering the army to prioritize civil peace despite a number of his troops being killed amid crossfire.

 

His elections is viewed as necessary to maintain the fragile ceasefire with Israel and save his country from a financial collapse.

 

Soon after his election, congratulations poured in from the international community, including the US and Iran. 

 

US Embassy in Beirut congratulated Aoun, saying they were “deeply valuing” their “long-standing partnership with Lebanon and are committed to working closely with President Aoun, as he begins his efforts to unite the country, implement reforms, and secure a prosperous future for Lebanon.” 

 

Iran's embassy in Beirut, for their part, also welcomed the election of Lebanese Aoun, expressing hopes for close cooperation between the two countries.

 

"We congratulate brotherly Lebanon for the election of General Joseph Aoun," said the embassy in a statement on X, adding that "we look forward to working together... and to cooperate in different fields in a way that serves the common interests for our countries.”

 

Heading the Lebanese army since 2017, an institution serving as a source of unity in the country, Aoun had good relations with the divided Lebanese political class.