Lebanon’s New Hope: The Election of Joseph Aoun as President.

By Maria Maalouf

Lebanon has seen a beacon of hope emerge from its political darkness with the election of General Joseph Aoun as President on January 9, 2025. After a prolonged vacuum at the highest office, lasting over two years, Aoun’s ascent to the presidency marks a pivotal moment for a nation grappling with economic turmoil and social unrest. His election, achieved with 99 votes out of 128 in the second round, reflects a desperate yet optimistic call for leadership and change.

Aoun, who has led the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017, steps into a landscape marred by economic collapse but ripe with potential for renewal. The economic crisis has left Lebanon’s currency in shambles, its people struggling with basic necessities. Yet, Aoun’s military background brings a promise of discipline, order, and perhaps most crucially, a focus on national unity over sectarian division. His tenure as army commander was marked by an effort to keep the military out of political fray, a quality that could be instrumental in navigating Lebanon’s complex confessional politics.

Internationally, Aoun’s presidency is viewed with cautious optimism. His election has the backing of significant global players like the US, Saudi Arabia, and France. This support is not merely symbolic; it could translate into the much-needed financial aid and investment for Lebanon’s recovery. The country has been isolated due to its internal strife and regional conflicts, but Aoun’s presidency offers a chance to realign Lebanon’s foreign relations, potentially strengthening ties with Arab nations and Western powers, and fostering a more balanced regional standing.

The task ahead is immense. Aoun must address the economic meltdown, ensuring that reforms are not just promised but implemented. His role will be pivotal in rebuilding infrastructure, reviving the economy, and ensuring that the peace with Israel, recently stabilized by a ceasefire, holds. Moreover, he faces the delicate task of managing Hezbollah’s influence, advocating for a state where the monopoly on the legitimate use of force is held by the government, not by any non-state actors.

Lebanon stands at a crossroads, with Aoun’s leadership offering a pathway towards stability and prosperity. His challenge is to unite a divided nation under a vision of recovery and progress. If successful, his presidency could usher in an era where Lebanon’s rich cultural heritage and resilient people are not overshadowed by political and economic crises but celebrated as the foundation of a thriving, modern state. This moment in Lebanon’s history could well be remembered as the beginning of a new dawn, where hope, hard work, and strategic leadership pave the way forward.

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