Who Is Joseph Aoun, Lebanese Army Head Elected as President, Ending Two-Year Impasse
After more than two years without a president, Lebanon’s parliament has elected army chief Joseph Aoun as the country’s 14th president after two years since the resignation of ex-President Michel Aoun (no relation), filling a void that has paralyzed the Lebanese state amidst an ongoing economic crisis and regional instability., Al Jazeera reports.
Aoun’s election marks a significant breakthrough after the parliament failed to agree on a successor in 12 previous attempts. He secured 99 votes out of 128 in the second round of voting, demonstrating broad support across the political spectrum.
Who is Joseph Aoun?
Born in 1964 in Sin el-Fil, a suburb of Beirut, Joseph Aoun rose through the ranks of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), becoming army commander in 2017. Like the presidency, this position is traditionally held by a member of the Maronite Christian sect. Aoun’s military career began in 1983 during the Lebanese civil war. He underwent extensive training both within Lebanon and abroad, including a US counterterrorism program. He is a three-time recipient of Lebanon’s Medal of War, among other honors.
In 2017, shortly after assuming command of the LAF, Aoun successfully led a counterterrorism operation against ISIL (ISIS) fighters in the mountainous region between Syria and Lebanon. This operation bolstered his public standing and allowed him to forge close ties with regional and international actors, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, which ultimately helped to secure support for his presidential candidacy.
Time of Crisis
Aoun’s tenure as army chief coincided with a period of immense difficulty for Lebanon. A crippling economic crisis has devastated the country, forcing many soldiers and civilians alike to seek second jobs to make ends meet. This economic hardship has been viewed as symptomatic of a wider crisis of governance, including a sectarian political system plagued by corruption and mismanagement. The devastating Beirut port explosion of August 2020 further eroded public trust in the political establishment.
When President Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, the inability of the parliament to agree on a successor plunged the country into further political paralysis. The Lebanese army, under Aoun’s leadership, was also seen as weaker than the Shia group Hezbollah, raising questions about the state’s authority.
Furthermore, Israel’s recent war in Gaza quickly spilled into Lebanon as Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanged fire, resulting in devastating bombing and a brief land invasion that killed thousands.
Path to Presidency
The resolution of the Gaza conflict provided an opening for political progress in Lebanon. Aoun, who emerged as a serious presidential contender in 2023, was able to capitalize on this opportunity. He successfully kept the Lebanese army out of the conflict with Israel, and is seen as a key figure in maintaining the ceasefire. He is also tasked with ensuring Hezbollah’s withdrawal from south of the Litani River, a key part of the ceasefire deal.
Notably, Israel has welcomed Aoun’s appointment.
Unclear Political Stance
Despite broad international and domestic support, Aoun’s political views remain largely unknown. He rarely gives interviews, though in 2021 he did criticize the political class for the country’s economic woes. He had not clearly stated a stance on Hezbollah’s arsenal, but in his inauguration speech, he pledged “to affirm the state’s right to monopolise the carrying of weapons”. However, it remains unclear how he will enforce this or if Hezbollah will agree to such a demand.
Aoun has also committed to rebuilding areas devastated by Israeli strikes, including the south and Beirut’s Dahiyeh suburb.
