Lebanon&& s parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has U.S.
assistance and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its terrible war with Israel.In a speech to the chamber, Aoun, 60, vowed to work to ensure the state has the special right to bring arms, drawing loud applause as legislators from Hezbollah —-- which runs its own military forces —-- sat still, Reuters reported.He promised to reconstruct south Lebanon and other parts of the country he stated had actually been ruined by Israel, and also to avoid Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which was stuck in deep economic and political crises even before the latest conflict.
&& Today, a new phase in the history of Lebanon begins,& & he said.His election showed shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, with Shi&& ite Muslim Hezbollah badly pounded from in 2015&& s war, and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in December.It likewise indicated a revival of Saudi impact in a country where Riyadh&& s role was eclipsed by Iran and Hezbollah long ago.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar congratulated Lebanon, stating on X he hoped Aoun&& s election would contribute towards stability and great neighbourly relations.U.S.
ambassador Lisa Johnson, participating in the session, informed Reuters she was && really delighted & with Aoun & s election.The presidency, booked for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon&& s sectarian power-sharing system, has actually been uninhabited given that Michel Aoun&& s term ended in October 2022, with deeply divided factions not able to settle on a prospect able to win enough votes in the 128-seat parliament.Joseph Aoun fell short of the 86 votes needed in a preliminary vote, however crossed the limit with 99 votes in a 2nd round, after legislators from Hezbollah and its Shi&& ite ally the Amal Movement backed him.Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad said that by delaying their elect Aoun, the group had && sent a message that we are the guardians of national agreement&& .
Momentum constructed behind Aoun on Wednesday as Hezbollah&& s long preferred prospect, Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew and stated assistance for the army leader, and as French and Saudi envoys shuttled around Beirut, prompting his election in meetings with political leaders, 3 Lebanese political sources said.A source near the Saudi royal court said French, Saudi, and U.S.
envoys had informed Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, that worldwide financial support &-- consisting of from Saudi Arabia &-- hinged on Aoun&& s election.
& There is a very clear message from the international neighborhood that they are ready to support Lebanon, but that needs a president, a federal government,& & Michel Mouawad, a Christian legislator opposed to Hezbollah who chose Aoun, informed Reuters.&& We did get a message from Saudi of assistance,& & he added.The Saudi king and crown prince congratulated Aoun.FRANCE URGES FORMATION OF STRONG GOVERNMENTHis election is an initial step towards restoring federal government institutions in a nation which has actually had neither a president nor a fully empowered cabinet because Aoun left office.Lebanon, its economy still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, remains in alarming requirement of help to rebuild from the war, which the World Bank approximates cost the nation $8.5 billion.Much of the damage remains in majority Shi&& ite locations where Hezbollah draws assistance.
Hezbollah has actually prompted Arab and global support for Lebanon.Lebanon&& s system of federal government now requires Aoun to convene assessments with lawmakers to choose a Sunni Muslim prime minister to form a new cabinet, a process that can frequently be protracted as factions barter over ministerial portfolios.France said the election opened a new page for Lebanon.&& This election needs to now be followed by the visit of a strong federal government& & efficient in & carrying out the reforms required for Lebanon&& s financial healing, stability, security and sovereignty,& & French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.Lebanon&& s global bonds, which have actually remained in default because 2020, rallied after Aoun&& s success was announced.Aoun has actually played an essential role in supporting a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel which was brokered by Washington and Paris in November.
The terms require the Lebanese army to release into south Lebanon as Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah withdraw forces.Opponents of his candidateship said his election was the outcome of foreign pressure.
Lawmaker Gebran Bassil, leader of one of the most significant Christian factions, told the session that lots of legislators had gotten && guidelines from abroad&& .
However Melhem Riachi, a Christian lawmaker who elected Aoun, said the election marked completion of the previous era with && an Iranian face & .
& This is the era of Lebanon&& s consistency with the international neighborhood,& & he said.The post Lebanon&& s army chief chosen president, revealing weakened Hezbollah initially appeared on Ariana News.