Joseph Aoun becomes Lebanon president

Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as the country’s president.

Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament to win the presidency in a second round of voting on Thursday afternoon.

It has ended a power vacuum that lasted for more than two years.

 “A new phase in the history of Lebanon begins today,” 60-year-old Aoun told the chamber after he was sworn in.

Aoun’s victory, which saw members of parliament erupting in celebration as he reached the required threshold of 86 votes, came on the legislature’s 13th attempt to find a successor for Michel Aoun – not related – whose term ended in October 2022.

The balance of power in Lebanon had shifted, she said, noting that Israel’s war on Lebanon had “weakened” Hezbollah.