Shafaq News / Amid politicaluncertainty and anticipation, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressedoptimism on Wednesday that the Lebanese Parliament will elect a new presidentduring a session scheduled for Thursday, ending more than two years ofpresidential vacancy. Political and media sources have indicated a growingmomentum toward selecting Army Commander Joseph Aoun as a consensus candidatefor the presidency.
Annahar Lebanese newspaper reportedthat the “Development and Liberation Bloc”, headed by Parliament Speaker NabihBerri, will vote for Aoun, bolstering his chances of reaching the presidentialpalace. According to Sky News Arabia, sources suggested that a final decisionon the consensus candidate could be made by the end of Wednesday.
Suleiman Frangieh, head of the “Marada” party, announcedvia X his withdrawal from the presidential race and supporting Army CommanderJoseph Aoun, stating that Aoun possesses the qualifications to preserve the valueof the presidency. Frangieh's candidacy had been supported by Hezbollah and theAmal Movement since the presidential vacuum began.
Several parliamentary blocs havevoiced their support for Aoun’s candidacy, although opposition parliamentmembers have linked their support to securing broad parliamentary consensus.
Earlier, Berri had indicated thatelecting Aoun would require a constitutional amendment, as he is a publicofficial and thus cannot run for the presidency before two years of leavingoffice.
Speaking at the launch of the"National Strategy for Integrated Solid Waste Management" at thegovernment headquarters in Beirut, Mikati said, "For the first time, sincethe vacancy of the presidency, I feel glad because, God willing, we will have anew president tomorrow."
On November 28, 2024, Berri setJanuary 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM for a parliamentary session to elect a newpresident.
Hopes are high for the session toend the ongoing presidential vacuum, which began after the term of formerPresident Michel Aoun ended on October 31, 2022.
Since Aoun's departure, theParliament has failed to elect a president over 13 sessions spread across twoyears, the latest of which was held on June 14, 2023, resulting in Lebanon'ssixth presidential vacancy in its history.
Among the leading presidentialcontenders are Army Commander Joseph Aoun, Lebanese Forces Party leader SamirGeagea, and Head of the Marada party, Suleiman Frangieh, who recently withdrew hiscandidacy. Other names circulating include acting General Director of GeneralSecurity, Elias Baisari, MPs Neemat Afram and Ibrahim Kanaan, and formerministers Jihad Azour, Ziad Baroud, and Jean-Louis Qerdahi.
According to Lebanon's establishedpolitical tradition, the president must be a Christian from the Maronite sect,the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament mustbe a Shiite Muslim.
The presidential term lasts for sixyears, and a president can only be re-elected after a six-year gap.
The president in Lebanon is seen asa symbol of national unity and the protector of the constitution. The presidentplays a role in signing laws and appointing the prime minister in consultationwith Parliament.
Whois Joseph Aoun?
Born on January 10, 1964, in thetown of Sin Al-Fil in the Matn district, Joseph Aoun is the current commanderof the Lebanese Army. He assumed the position on March 8, 2017, succeedingGeneral Jean Qahwaji.
Aoun is one of Lebanon's prominentmilitary figures and has increasingly become a leading candidate for thepresidency, especially after the vacancy left by President Michel Aoun'sdeparture from office.
He holds two degrees in politicalscience and military sciences, which have enhanced his leadership abilities inthe fields of politics and security.
In addition to his proficiency inArabic, Aoun speaks French and English, which has facilitated his participationin numerous international training programs that enriched his military experience.
MilitaryCareer
Joseph Aoun began his career in theLebanese Army in 1983 as a volunteer and quickly advanced through the ranks. Hegraduated from the Officers' Training Course in 1986 and participated inseveral specialized courses, including a diving course in 1987 and a militaryofficer course in 1996.
He also attended multiple commandand staff training courses, as well as specialized workshops on intelligenceand counterterrorism.
In 2013, he was promoted to the rankof Brigadier General and continued his rise through the military ranks untilreaching the rank of Major General in 2017, coinciding with his appointment asthe Army Commander.
He led the Army during one ofLebanon’s most sensitive periods, marked by significant security and politicalchallenges.
International Experience
Joseph Aoun has extensiveinternational experience, having participated in several training courses inthe United States, including infantry courses in 1988 and 1995, and aninternational counterterrorism program between 2008 and 2009. He alsoparticipated in a commando course in Syria in 1996 and a battalion commandercourse in Syria between 2002 and 2003.
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