Lebanon’s parliament on Thursday, January 9, elected Joseph Aoun as the 14th president, follwing a two-year political deadlock.
Aoun, who previously served as army chief, received 99 during a second round of voting in the 128-seat assembly.
In the first round of voting, Aoun garnered 71 of 128 votes, falling short of the two-thirds majority required.
The presidency had been vacant since Michel Aoun’s term ended on October 31, 2022.
Aoun’s victory is seen as favorable by Western and regional powers, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and European countries.