Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reviews the honor guard upon his arrival at the Lebanese Parliament to be sworn in as a new president, in Beirut, Lebanon.

General Joseph Aoun, a 60-year-old career soldier, has been elected president of Lebanon, filling a position that had been vacant for over two years. He is the fifth army commander in Lebanon’s history to become president, and succeeds former President Michel Aoun, who is not related to him.

The president’s role is reserved for a Maronite Christian under Lebanon’s sectarian system.
Background

Aoun is married and has two children. Born in Sin el-Fil near Beirut, he joined the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in 1983 during the civil war. He began as a platoon commander in the army rangers in 1985 and received training in infantry officer courses in the United States.

Since his appointment as army commander in 2017, he has led the LAF through significant challenges, including Lebanon’s financial crisis, which severely impacted soldiers’ salaries. In 2017, under his leadership, the army launched an offensive to clear Islamic State militants from the Syrian border, which drew praise from the US ambassador at the time for their “excellent job.”

Lebanon President Joseph Aoun, left, shakes hands with an officer from the presidential honor guard upon his arrival at the Lebanese Parliament.

During a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Aoun kept the Lebanese military neutral. Despite the deaths of over 40 Lebanese soldiers in Israeli strikes, the army avoided direct engagement in the conflict.
Leadership and foreign relations

The newly-elected president has maintained strong ties with international allies. The United States has provided more than $2.5 billion in aid to the LAF since 2006, with additional support during Lebanon’s economic collapse. Qatar has also contributed aid to the Lebanese army.

In 2021, Aoun publicly criticized political leaders for their handling of the financial crisis, saying, “What do you intend to do?” His leadership has received approval from US and Gulf officials, though Hezbollah expressed reservations about his presidency.

Aoun is now tasked with ensuring the success of a 60-day ceasefire brokered by the United States and France, which requires the Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon as Israeli and Hezbollah forces withdraw.