US-Backed General Elected Lebanon’s President, Ending Political Stalemate
Following a prolonged political deadlock, Lebanon elected army chief Joseph Aoun as its new president, ending a two-year vacancy. Aoun’s election, facilitated by US and Saudi support, marks a shift away from Iran-backed Hezbollah’s influence. In his inaugural address, Aoun pledged to address Lebanon’s multifaceted crises and to establish the state’s monopoly on weapons, directly challenging Hezbollah’s military power. This comes amidst Hezbollah’s weakened position following a recent conflict with Israel and the subsequent ceasefire agreement. Aoun’s presidency signals a potential realignment of power dynamics within Lebanon.
John Q. Hosedrinker