On January 9, 2025, Lebanon’s parliament elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the new president, filling a vacancy that had persisted since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022. Aoun, a U.S.-approved candidate, signifies a shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, particularly following Hezbollah’s diminished influence after the recent Israel-Hezbollah war and the fall of its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad. His election reflects Saudi Arabia’s resurgence in Lebanese politics, eclipsing Iranian and Hezbollah dominance.
Despite initial failures to secure sufficient votes in the first round, Aoun garnered support from Hezbollah’s traditionally favored candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, who withdrew in Aoun’s favor, demonstrating the evolving power dynamics. International pressure from French and Saudi envoys, coupled with offers of financial support contingent upon Aoun’s election, underscored the urgency for a stable government in Lebanon.
Aoun’s role as president comes at a critical time, as Lebanon grapples with a severe economic crisis and a need for comprehensive governmental revival. His leadership is expected to facilitate the nomination of a new Sunni prime minister and the deployment of the military to reinforce a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
