Lebanon’s parliament elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president on Thursday, ending a prolonged political deadlock and filling the presidential vacancy that had lasted since October 2022. The election followed two rounds of voting and the significant efforts of the United States and Saudi Arabia to secure support for Aoun, who has close ties to both countries.
Aoun, after stepping down from his military role, arrived at the parliament in civilian attire to take his oath of office. In his acceptance speech, he declared the beginning of a “new era” for Lebanon and committed to addressing the country’s ongoing economic and political crises.
Key Pledge to Disarm Hezbollah:
One of Aoun’s most notable pledges was to “monopolise weapons” under the state’s control, signaling his intention to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group with substantial military influence in Lebanon. Aoun’s stance on disarming Hezbollah marks a bold move given the group’s power within Lebanon and its historic role in confronting Israeli forces.
In his address, Aoun highlighted the importance of Lebanon’s sovereignty, affirming that the Lebanese state would take full responsibility for its defence without Hezbollah’s involvement. “The Lebanese state–I repeat, the Lebanese state–will get rid of the Israeli occupation,” Aoun stated, as quoted by CNN. He also mentioned the development of a national defence strategy aimed at protecting Lebanon from Israeli aggression.
Hezbollah’s Role:
Hezbollah, the most heavily armed militant group in the Middle East, has had significant influence in Lebanon and other countries in the region. However, following a recent war with Israel and the weakening of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the group’s position has been challenged. The US-brokered ceasefire agreement signed in November further diminished Hezbollah’s power, as it required the group to withdraw from the border area with Israel.
Despite the group’s influence, Aoun’s pledge to disarm Hezbollah marks a significant shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, potentially challenging the group’s long-held dominance in Lebanese defence matters.
Political Landscape:
Lebanon had been without a president since October 2022, when former President Michel Aoun, who was backed by Hezbollah, completed his term. Since then, efforts to elect a new president had failed 12 times, deepening the divide between Lebanon’s pro-Western and pro-Iran factions.
In the second round of voting, Aoun secured 99 votes out of 128, with Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc supporting his election to foster national unity. However, they withheld their votes in the first round as a statement on Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Aoun’s election could mark a significant turning point in Lebanon’s political future, as the country seeks to navigate its deep-seated crises and potential reforms in its defence and security policies.