Army commander Joseph Aoun ends Lebanon’s two-year presidential vacuum, pledging national unity and reform as he begins consultations to nominate a new prime minister.
Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, has been elected President of Lebanon, ending more than two years of political deadlock. On July 7, 2025, Aoun won 99 votes in the second round of balloting in Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament.
This breakthrough follows 12 failed sessions to elect a president since Michel Aoun left office in October 2022. Despite sharing the same last name, the two are not related.
Lebanese Parliament: Who Is Joseph Aoun?
Born in 1964 in Sin el-Fil, a suburb of Beirut, Joseph Aoun joined the military academy in 1983 during Lebanon’s civil war. He climbed the ranks and became army commander in 2017.
He received counterterrorism training in the United States and launched a successful 2017 operation against ISIS on the Syrian border. Aoun also built strong ties with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Washington, boosting his credibility across political lines.
His military leadership during Lebanon’s economic collapse and the Israel-Hezbollah war earned him wide support.
Lebanese Parliament: Start of Binding Consultations
On Monday morning, President Aoun began binding parliamentary consultations to name a new prime minister. The talks started at 8:15am (06:15 GMT) with Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Abu Saab, according to the National News Agency.
Two key contenders have emerged:
- Najib Mikati, the current caretaker prime minister, backed by the Hezbollah-led alliance.
- Nawaf Salam, a judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), favored by anti-Hezbollah lawmakers.
Mikati, one of Lebanon’s wealthiest men, said he is willing to serve again “if needed.” However, critics say he represents an old political class tied to Hezbollah.
Salam, in contrast, is viewed as a reformist with international credibility.
Lebanese Parliament: Executive Power and Sectarian Balance
In Lebanon’s sectarian system:
- The president must be a Maronite Christian.
- The prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim and holds more executive authority.
- The parliamentary speaker, a Shia Muslim, acts as mediator and leads legislative debate.
The next government must:
- Implement sweeping economic reforms to unlock international aid.
- Rebuild areas destroyed in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
- Enforce the November 27 ceasefire, including the pullback of Hezbollah from the Litani River and positioning of the Lebanese Army in its place.
Aoun played a key role in keeping the army out of the conflict, even as more than 40 soldiers died. His neutrality helped ensure Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire.
Aoun’s Vision for Lebanon
In his inauguration speech, Aoun pledged:
- To affirm the state’s exclusive right to carry weapons.
- To rebuild war-torn regions, including the south and Beirut’s Dahiyeh suburb.
- To focus on national unity and state sovereignty.
Though he hasn’t clearly addressed Hezbollah’s disarmament, his comments hint at a new direction.
Aoun’s election followed intense pressure from foreign powers and domestic actors seeking to end the stalemate. His military neutrality and low political profile made him a consensus candidate.
Israel has welcomed Aoun’s election, seeing him as key to enforcing the ceasefire and limiting Hezbollah’s power in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Parliament: Lebanon at a Crossroads
Lebanon now stands at a turning point. Aoun’s election brings temporary unity, but major hurdles remain. Citizens want action, not just words. The country still faces:
- A crippling economic crisis.
- Deep-rooted corruption and political mismanagement.
- A demand for true reform and accountability after years of failure.
President Joseph Aoun has a historic opportunity to reset Lebanon’s direction. His leadership will be tested as he appoints a new prime minister, confronts political divisions, and works to rebuild a broken nation. The Lebanese people are watching—and hoping—for real change.
Know about Lebanese Parliament
The Republic of Lebanon is a parliamentary democracy that declared its independence in 1943. It is located on the eastern Mediterranean coast and spans 10,452 square kilometers. The President of the Republic serves as head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He ensures respect for the Constitution and protects Lebanon’s independence and unity. Lebanon’s political system follows the principles of separation, balance, and cooperation among powers. Legislative authority lies with the Chamber of Deputies, made up of 128 elected members serving four-year terms. Executive power is held by the Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister appointed through binding parliamentary consultations. Judicial power is exercised by independent courts. Lebanon has a free market economy, with the private sector—especially services, banking, and finance—driving over 70% of national income.
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