Lebanon’s parliament has elected Joseph Aoun as the 14th president, ending a political stand-off that has left the post empty for more than two years.
Aoun, who previously served as the army chief, secured 99 votes in the 128-seat chamber when MPs convened to choose a head of state.
Army chief Joseph Aoun’s election is significant given his respected background and the support he garners from international powers like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
Joseph Aoun’s candidacy came at a crucial time, as Lebanon has been without a head of state since former President Michel Aoun completed his term on October 31, 2022, resulting in a nearly two-year presidential vacancy.
Without a president, Lebanon has been operating under a transitional government. Many Lebanese citizens viewed the army, led by the Lebanese army chief, Joseph Aoun, as a source of stability. The Lebanese military has played a crucial role in maintaining a fragile ceasefire and is expected to help stabilize the country amid ongoing political and financial crises.
Alongside Joseph Aoun, other candidates included Jihad Azour, a prominent official at the International Monetary Fund and Elias El Baissary, the acting chief of Lebanon’s General Security agency.
However, it appeared that both international and local support gave Aoun a clear advantage in the presidential race. The post of parliament speaker is designated for a Shiite Muslim, reflecting Lebanon’s sectarian political framework.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has stated that an amendment to the constitution would be necessary for Aoun to assume the presidency. The current provisions prohibit a serving state official from becoming head of state. The premiership is reserved for a Sunni Muslim, highlighting the significance of sectarian identities in Lebanese governance.
Originally set to retire on January 10, 2025, Joseph Aoun’s tenure has been extended by one year following a decision by the parliament. This allows him to maintain his influential position during this pivotal period in Lebanon’s political landscape.
Read more: Lebanon’s presidential election: Joseph Aoun emerges as frontrunner—Who is he?
About Lebanese Army Chief Joseph Aoun
Joseph Aoun is the current army commander of the Lebanese army, having assumed the role on March 8, 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji. Aoun was elected as the president of Lebanon after serving as the army chief, a significant event in restoring governmental stability and overseeing military deployment in regional conflicts.
Aoun maintains strong connections with the United States, having undergone military and counterterrorism training in the country. Lebanon’s army, under Aoun’s leadership, has received substantial international support, particularly from the United States, which is crucial given the ongoing economic challenges faced by Lebanon’s military. Aoun’s military career began as a volunteer in 1983, and he has since completed various military courses, including an officers’ course in 1986, a diving course in 1987, and a senior officer’s course in 1996. In 2013, he took part in a workshop focused on intelligence and counterterrorism, along with several training courses abroad, particularly in the United States, where he completed two infantry courses in 1988 and 1995, and later participated in the International Program for Counter-Terrorism Policy between 2008 and 2009.
He also attended a demolition course in Syria in 1996 and a battalion commanders’ course in Syria from 2002 to 2003. In 2015, Aoun was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade, which is stationed in southern Lebanon, and in 2016, he was reassigned to the eastern sector along the border with Syria, where he addressed the threat posed by ISIS at that time.
Throughout his military career, Aoun has been awarded numerous medals and decorations. His name is closely associated with two significant events in the eyes of the Lebanese people: the first being Fajr al-Jaroud, the battle he successfully led against hundreds of ISIS militants in 2017 in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border. The second is his enduring campaign against corruption within the military establishment, which he has maintained as one of the few resilient institutions in a country facing systemic collapse.
Commitment to integrity in the Lebanese Armed Forces
Since taking over command of the army in 2017, Aoun has initiated a comprehensive campaign to combat corruption within the military, impacting many personnel. His reputation as an anti-corruption advocate has greatly influenced his standing as a credible figure capable of steering the country away from collapse.
Following the 2020 explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon’s allied nations redirected their aid to the military, asserting that they trusted only the army to distribute it. As a result, all aid—amounting to tens of millions of dollars—was allocated directly to the Lebanese Armed Forces and was under Aoun’s control and management. It seems that the military establishment has effectively handled these funds without facing shortages attributed to corruption. The Lebanese Armed Forces also played a crucial role in the ceasefire agreement, ensuring Hezbollah withdraw forces as part of the US and France-brokered deal.
Promotions
Throughout his military career, Joseph Aoun has achieved significant promotions, including:
- Enrolled in the Army as a cadet officer and joined the Military Academy starting 19/05/1983.
- Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant starting 06/05/1985.
- Promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant starting 01/07/1988.
- Promoted to the rank of Captain starting 01/01/1993.
- Promoted to the rank of Major starting 01/01/1998.
- Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel starting 01/01/2003.
- Promoted to the rank of Colonel P.S.C starting 01/07/2007.
- Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General P.S.C starting 01/07/2013.
- He was promoted to the rank of General and was appointed as the Armed Forces Commander on 8/3/2017.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli troops withdrew, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy to southern Lebanon. This deployment included troops in south Lebanon alongside UN peacekeepers to stabilize the region post-conflict.
Academic qualifications
Army commander Aoun boasts an impressive academic background, holding a degree in political science focused on international relations and a university degree in military sciences.
Personal life
In addition to his native Arabic, Aoun is proficient in French and English. On the personal front, he is married to Mrs. Neemat Nehme, and together, they have two children, Khalil and Nour, along with several grandchildren.
In an interview with Lebanon’s Army magazine in April 2020, Neemat Aoun described her partner’s commitment to the military institution as akin to having a “second wife.” She highlighted that he dedicated his personal life to the nation while she took on substantial responsibilities in their everyday life.
Historical context of Lebanese military leadership
Military leaders have previously secured the presidency in Lebanon, starting with Fouad Shehab, who held office from 1958 to 1964. The presidency in Lebanon is traditionally reserved for a Maronite Christian, reflecting the country’s sectarian power-sharing agreements. Shehab implemented significant reforms and improved Lebanon’s circumstances. Emile Lahoud (1998-2007) and Michel Sleiman (2008-2014) are two other military figures who became presidents.
