UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Joseph Aoun following his electoral victory and subsequent constitutional oath-taking as the President of the Republic of Lebanon.
Additionally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also conveyed similar congratulatory messages to President Aoun.
H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took to X to congratulate Aoun, saying: “Congratulations to Joseph Aoun on his election as President of Lebanon. I wish him success in leading his country and its people to further stability, development, and progress, and I look forward to working with him to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Lebanon.”
For his part, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated Joseph Aoun on his election as President of Lebanon, expressing his hopes for sustained stability, security and progress for the Lebanese people.
Lebanon’s parliament has elected Joseph Aoun as its 14th president, thereby concluding a political impasse that had left the position vacant for over two years. Aoun, who previously held the position of army chief, garnered 99 votes in the 128-seat assembly during the session convened to elect the new head of state.
The election of Army Chief Joseph Aoun is notable due to his esteemed background and the backing he receives from influential international players, including the United States and the region.
Significance of the election
Joseph Aoun’s candidacy emerged at a critical juncture, as Lebanon has been without a president since former President Michel Aoun completed his term on October 31, 2022, resulting in a lengthy presidential void. During this time, Lebanon has functioned under a transitional government. Many Lebanese citizens viewed the military, under the leadership of Joseph Aoun, as a bastion of stability. The Lebanese Armed Forces have played an essential role in upholding a fragile ceasefire and are expected to contribute to the nation’s stabilization amid ongoing political and economic crises.
Alongside Joseph Aoun, other contenders included Jihad Azour, a senior official at the International Monetary Fund, and Elias El Baissary, the acting head of Lebanon’s General Security agency. However, it appeared that both local and international support significantly favored Aoun in the presidential contest. According to Lebanon’s sectarian political framework, the post of parliament speaker is designated for a Shiite Muslim. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has indicated that a constitutional amendment would be required for Aoun to assume the presidency, as current regulations prevent a serving state official from becoming head of state. The premiership is reserved for a Sunni Muslim, underscoring the importance of sectarian identities in Lebanon’s governance.
Originally slated to retire on January 10, 2025, Joseph Aoun’s term has been extended by an additional year as decided by parliament, allowing him to maintain a significant role during this crucial period in Lebanon’s political dynamics.
About Army Chief General Joseph Aoun
Joseph Aoun serves as the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, having assumed this role on March 8, 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji. His election as president marks a pivotal moment for restoring governmental stability and overseeing military operations in regional conflicts. Aoun has cultivated strong ties with the United States, having undergone military and counterterrorism training there. Under his command, Lebanon’s military has received substantial international support, particularly from the U.S., which is vital given the ongoing economic challenges facing Lebanon’s armed forces.
Aoun’s military career began as a volunteer in 1983. He has completed various military training programs, including an officers’ course in 1986, a diving course in 1987, and a senior officer’s course in 1996. In 2013, he participated in a workshop focused on intelligence and counterterrorism, along with several training courses abroad, particularly in the United States, where he completed infantry courses in both 1988 and 1995 and took part 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 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.
Throughout his military service, Aoun has received numerous accolades and decorations. He is particularly recognized for two significant events in the eyes of the Lebanese populace: the first being Fajr al-Jaroud, the successful battle he led against hundreds of ISIS militants in 2017 in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border. The second is his relentless campaign against corruption within the military establishment, which he has worked to maintain as one of the few resilient institutions in a country facing systemic collapse.
Commitment to integrity in the Lebanese Armed Forces
Since taking command of the army in 2017, Aoun has launched an extensive initiative to combat corruption within the military, impacting numerous personnel. His reputation as an anti-corruption advocate has significantly bolstered his image as a credible figure capable of guiding the country away from potential collapse. Following the 2020 explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon’s allied nations redirected their aid to the military, asserting their trust in the army to distribute it effectively. As a result, all aid—totaling tens of millions of dollars—was allocated directly to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which Aoun managed. It appears that the military has effectively utilized these funds without encountering shortages attributed to corruption.
The Lebanese Armed Forces have also played a vital role in facilitating the ceasefire agreement, ensuring Hezbollah withdraw its forces as part of the U.S. and France-brokered deal.
Promotions
Throughout his military career, Joseph Aoun has achieved several significant promotions, including:
- Enrolled in the Army as a cadet officer and joined the Military Academy on May 19, 1983.
- Promoted to Lieutenant on May 6, 1985.
- Promoted to First Lieutenant on July 1, 1988.
- Promoted to Captain on January 1, 1993.
- Promoted to Major on January 1, 1998.
- Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on January 1, 2003.
- Promoted to Colonel P.S.C on July 1, 2007.
- Promoted to Brigadier General P.S.C on July 1, 2013.
- Promoted to General and appointed as the Armed Forces Commander on March 8, 2017.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli troops withdrew, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon. This deployment included troops alongside UN peacekeepers to stabilize the region after conflict.
Academic qualifications
Army Commander Aoun has an impressive academic background, holding a degree in political science with a focus on international relations, as well as a university degree in military sciences.
Personal life
In addition to his native Arabic, Aoun is fluent in French and English. On the personal side, 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 husband’s dedication to the military institution as similar to having a “second wife,” emphasizing that he devoted his personal life to the nation while she managed significant responsibilities at home.
Historical context of Lebanese military leadership
Historically, military leaders have held the presidency in Lebanon, starting with Fouad Shehab, who served from 1958 to 1964. The presidency in Lebanon is traditionally allocated to a Maronite Christian, reflecting the country’s sectarian power-sharing agreements. Shehab implemented significant reforms that improved Lebanon’s circumstances. Other military figures who have ascended to the presidency include Emile Lahoud (1998-2007) and Michel Sleiman (2008-2014).
