Joseph Aoun: Army chief elected president of Lebanon

Lebanon has not had a functioning government since the last parliamentary elections in May 2022.

Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati failed to secure support for a new cabinet before then-President Michel Aoun’s term expired in October, and his administration’s powers were reduced.

After that, legislators failed to elect a new president 12 times. The last time was in June 2023, when Hezbollah and its ally Amal prevented a runoff by entering a runoff, with no candidate winning enough votes to win the first round.

In Lebanon, a presidential candidate can usually be elected in the first round with a two-thirds majority or 86 votes in the 128-seat parliament, or a simple majority in the second round. However, Speaker Nabih Berri said Aoun needed a two-thirds majority in any round because he is the commander of the army.

In the first round held on Thursday morning, 71 MPs voted in favor of Aoun, 15 fewer than he requested. A further 37 MPs – many of them reportedly from Hezbollah and Amal – cast blank votes and 20 ballots were invalidated.

Berry, who is Amal’s leader, then adjourned the meeting until midday, sparking anger among MPs who wanted an immediate run-off.

In the end, Aoun was elected president with 99 votes in the second round, easily securing the necessary two-thirds majority. In addition to 18 invalid ballots, 9 MPs cast empty votes.

As soon as the result was announced by the speaker, TV channels showed scenes of celebration across the country.

Aoun was later shown arriving at the parliament building in a suit and later checking security before entering the chamber to take the oath.