The second round election took place in the afternoon with 99 votes from the 128 parliamentarians. Sources of They explained that the support of Riyadh and the quintet was decisive. One of its first tasks will be to guarantee compliance with Resolution 1701 and promote the independence of the Judiciary. In his speech he praised the “value” of a people whose “identity” is inherent in the “diversity” of different souls.
Beirut () – General Michel Aoun is the new president of Lebanon. The senior officer of the Armed Forces obtained 99 votes from the 128 parliamentarians gathered today in the Assembly to elect the head of state. The position remained vacant for more than two years, when his predecessor Michel Aoun (with the same name, but no family relationship with his successor) left office in October 2022 because his term had expired and opened a deep political and institutional crisis. In a nation characterized by different ethnic groups and religions, the highest positions are also defined by the Charter: the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of the House is a Muslim. Shiite.
On condition of anonymity – because they are not authorized to speak to the press – institutional sources in Beirut contacted by They explain that Aoun’s election was achieved thanks to “the support of Saudi Arabia and the United States-France-Egypt-Saudi Arabia-Qatar quintet.” He is the fourteenth president in the history of Lebanon and his appointment “ends a long political stagnation and constitutes a ray of hope for Lebanon.” “One of its first tasks,” the source concluded, “will be to guarantee the implementation of Resolution 1701, which establishes the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and promote the independence of the Judiciary.”
In his first speech, at the conclusion of the vote that sanctioned his election and in the context of the swearing-in, Aoun recalled that he is “the first president of Lebanon’s second centenary, at a time of great upheaval in the Middle East.” He also stated that the election was “the most important medal” he had ever received, and praised the “courage” of the Lebanese and their “identity”, which is inherent in the “diversity” of their different souls, but capable of going further. beyond “the differences”. Added to this is the strength of “reciprocal support,” especially in these moments of “wars and aggression.” [israelí]”.
Aoun then addressed all Lebanese “wherever they are: we are entering a new era – he stressed – for Lebanon. “I swear to preserve this nation and pledge to fully assume presidential responsibilities and protect freedoms.” “We have to change – warned the new head of state – our political vision, with regard to the protection of our borders, our economic policies and our conception of the State and development, as well as our environmental policies.”
In Lebanon, the election of the President of the Republic requires the consent of two-thirds of the parliamentarians, equivalent to 86 votes, in the first vote. In subsequent votes, a simple majority of 65 votes is sufficient. However, to be elected Aoun needed a larger number (86, as in the first round), because the Constitution of the Country of Cedars prohibits members of the Army in high positions from assuming the role of head of state. To do this, a constitutional amendment must be used that requires the approval of more than 66% of the members of the Assembly. Similar amendments have already been approved in the past, so the next president will be the fifth in the country’s history to come from the Armed Forces.
For more than two years the political forces of a Parliament marked by deep divisions – mirror of the fractures throughout the Middle East region – could not reach an agreement on the person to be elected. This blockade was caused especially by disagreements between Hezbollah – and its allies – and the front that opposes the party of God, weakened by the war against Israel. The appointment was also favored by the withdrawal of his “rival” Suleiman Frangieh, who had, precisely, the support of the pro-Iranian movement. In the first vote, which took place in the morning, the new president had obtained 71 votes, with 37 blank ballots and four annulled.
Born on January 10, 1964 in the village of Aishiyeh, Jezzine district, in the south of the country, Aoun rose through the military ranks since 1983, holding various positions and senior positions. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of general and, four years later, appointed commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army. Of the Maronite Christian religion, as established by the Lebanese National Pact, he is married to Neemat Nehmé, with whom he has two children, Khalil and Nour.
(With the collaboration of Fady Noun)
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