After two years of political deadlock, Lebanon’s parliament has elected Chief of Staff Joseph Aoun as the new president. In the first voting round, Aoun secured 71 votes, falling short of the required 86. However, in the second round, he received 99 votes in the 128-seat parliament, ending the prolonged crisis.
The presidency had remained vacant since October 2022, when former President Michel Aoun’s term concluded amidst economic and political turmoil. The last parliamentary session aimed at electing a president was held on June 14, 2023.