Lebanese lawmakers choose a president after two years of stalemate

Lebanon’s divided parliament overcame more than two years of deadlock on Thursday to choose a new president, a crucial step toward stabilizing a country trying to recover from economic disaster and economic crisis. Destructive war.

Lawmakers elected Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun by an overwhelming majority in the second round of voting, after he failed to achieve the necessary majority in the initial vote. It was a breakthrough towards forming a government with a mandate to lead the country after the stagnation under it Poor goalkeeper judgment.

The vote was considered a crucial milestone for Lebanon, which has suffered a series of disasters in recent years, including… Economic collapse The war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group left large parts of the country in ruins.

The elections – which often turned into shouting matches – also came at a worrying time for Lebanon and the region as a whole. In neighboring Syria, a new, untested government is trying to chart a path forward and rebuild after years of civil war. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the defeat of Hezbollah means a sudden loss of the authority of their sponsor, Iran.

Lebanon’s international backers, including the United States, have indicated that post-war financial support is conditional on the election of a president. According to the World Bank, the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been suspended for a while A fragile 60-day ceasefireLebanon cost $8.5 billion in compensation.

Since October 2022, when Michel Aoun stepped down as president at the end of his six-year term, Parliament has failed in 12 previous votes to elect a successor. But Hezbollah, which has long been the dominant political force in Lebanon, It was severely weakened Because of the war with Israel, analysts indicated that the group likely felt it had to make concessions due to the extent of Lebanon’s financial needs.

Analysts believe that the new president, who is not related to Michel Aoun, has the support of the United States and is widely respected in Lebanon. He has led the country’s armed forces since 2017, a role that has placed him at the head of the only national institution with cross-sectarian support.

“He is considered an acceptable figure by all of Lebanon’s political elite,” said Lina Al-Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House, a London-based research organization. “This is linked to the prevailing perception in Lebanon that the Lebanese Army is an institution that works for the national interest.”

Diplomats hope that Mr. Aoun’s stature will allow him to exercise continued influence over the military and lead to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. Resolution 1701 – The 2006 agreement that ended the previous war between Israel and Hezbollah but failed to maintain peace. They hope this will serve as a blueprint for long-term peace once the current ceasefire ends.

Mr. Aoun is now expected to appoint a prime minister, in consultation with Parliament, and the prime minister will then form the government. With no faction gaining a majority, this could be a long process.