Lebanon Poised to Elect President After Two-Year Vacancy
Army chief Joseph Aoun is widely seen as the frontrunner for the position, with analysts suggesting he could lead efforts to stabilize the volatile southern border by overseeing the swift deployment of the Lebanese army to enforce a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, with previous attempts to elect a successor failing due to sharp divisions in parliament between pro- and anti-Hezbollah blocs.
The situation shifted significantly after Hezbollah suffered major setbacks, including the death of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah during clashes with Israel last autumn and the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally, to rebel forces last month.
The parliamentary session, scheduled for 11:00 am local time (0900 GMT), will mark the 13th attempt to elect a new president since the vacancy. Historically, Lebanon’s political elite has only agreed on a consensus candidate before successful presidential votes, reflecting the country’s deep sectarian divides rooted in the 1975-1990 civil war.
International pressure has intensified ahead of the vote, with French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian invited to attend the session. US envoy Amos Hochstein also visited Beirut earlier this week, urging lawmakers to ensure a successful election. Saudi Arabia has also engaged heavily, with a senior envoy visiting Lebanon for the second time in two weeks.
Lawmakers who met with both the US and Saudi envoys indicated a strong backing for Joseph Aoun from both nations, adding momentum to his candidacy.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, expressed optimism on Wednesday, stating:
“For the first time since the presidency became vacant, I am pleased that, God willing, tomorrow we will have a president.”
The election outcome is expected to have significant implications for Lebanon’s political stability and economic recovery amid ongoing financial turmoil and regional tensions.
