Lebanon Military Chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as president of the nation, ending a vacuum of power that lasted greater than two years.
Aoun secured 99 votes from parliament with 128 seats to win the president in a second spherical of voting Thursday afternoon-a transfer that got here just a few weeks after tense truce The deal stopped 14 months of preventing between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, because the nation seeks assist for reconstruction.
“A brand new section in Lebanon’s historical past begins at present,” 60-year-old Aou resolved the bread of the room wherein he swore.
Aou’s victory, who noticed members of parliament mistaken within the vacation whereas I preserve the request Michel aoun – It isn’t associated – whose time period resulted in October 2022.
“There isn’t any doubt that the election of Joseph Aou is a brand new one was in Lebanon,” stated Zeina Khodr and Al Jazeera, reporting from Beirut. “Joseph Aun is mostly a favourite candidate of the worldwide group, however … that actuality likes help right here.”
The stability of energy in Lebanon had moved, she stated, declaring that Israel’s warfare towards Lebanon had “weakened” Hezbollah.
“This nation wants billions of earlier than reconstruction and that cash is not going to enter till Lebanon elects a president that the worldwide group believes reforming reform, outdoors what there’s a corrupt political class,” she stated.
In his prosecution speech, Aou Haad centered on the “development” of the nation and his military as he despatched the message that nobody was “defeated”.
“It is a place the place they’re deep … The political division and sectarian. If a group thinks they’re neglected, there could also be civil peace. This place doesn’t work except there may be consensus,” Khodr stated.
retreat
The Mediterranean nation had been with no president since Michel Aoud’s deadline in October 2022, with tensions between Hezbollah and his opponents who skipped a dozen votes of Preserius.
Within the first spherical of voting earlier throughout the day, lawmakers from the pro-Hazbollah bloc had voted empty, stated a supply near them, leaving lower than probably the most required two-thirds to win Outh.
The supply stated that the Block representatives met with Aoun in parliament throughout the break earlier than the lawmakers returned for a second vote.
Worldwide strain was arrange for a profitable outcome with solely 17 days left within the ceasefire to deploy Lebanese troops together with United Nations peacekeepers in South Library.
Aoun now faces daring duties to supervise the ceasefire and appoint a chief minister to guide the reforms required by worldwide collectors to facilitate the nation’s financial disaster in its historical past.
‘A brand new web page’
Aou was extensively seen america’ favourite selection, in addition to Saudi Saudi Saudi Arabia.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson, who attended Thursday’s session within the Lebanese Parliament together with different international Sendoys, stated she was “glad” for Aou’s elections.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia and crown prince Mohamed bin Salman congratulated Aoun on his election, in line with Saudi state media.
Iran’s Embassy in Beirut additionally welcomed Aoun’s election, stating X that he was wanting ahead to working collectively and hoping “to cooperate in numerous fields in a technique to serve the widespread pursuits for our international locations”.
Christophe Lemoine, spokesman for the French Overseas Ministry, stated the outcome opened a brand new web page for Lebanon, calling for Aou elections to be adopted by the attraction of a robust authorities able to finishing up reforms for “financial restoration, stability, the security and safety of Lebanon, stability, safety and sovereignty. “
A particular coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-plasschaert, welcomed the election “as a long-awaited first step in the direction of overcoming the political and institutional vacuum of Lebanon”.
“A main minister should be decided and a authorities be fashioned immediately,” she stated.
Joseph Aou is the fifth commander of the Military in Lebanon to change into president, and the fourth in a row.