By Orna Mizrahi
After more than two years without a president, the Lebanese parliament elected (on January 9) army commander Joseph Aoun as president of Lebanon with a large majority of 99 out of 128 members of parliament.
His election marks a significant achievement for the anti-Hezbollah camp in Lebanon and reflects the organization's current weakness within the Lebanese political system.
Battered and bruised by war, Hezbollah was forced to accept Aoun's election after losing its parliamentary blocking majority and its ability to impose its own candidate as president, as it had demanded before the war.
Joseph Aoun, a Maronite Christian (as required by the Lebanese constitution), is a veteran military officer who has served in the Lebanese Army since 1983 and was appointed Army Commander in 2017.
In his inaugural address, Aoun declared that a new stage is beginning in Lebanon.
Aoun pledged to rebuild from the devastation of war and speed up the formation of a new government (the current one has been interim since May 2022).
He stressed the exclusive authority of the security forces to maintain state security and enforce the law, in a clear reference to Hezbollah's weapons, which the group claims are essential to Lebanon's defense.
Interestingly, Aoun also addressed the Palestinian issue in his inaugural address, expressing support for the “right of return” while also backing a two-state solution, a form of recognition of Israel’s right to exist.
Aoun's election has raised hopes both in Lebanon and among Western actors, particularly the United States, which worked diligently to secure his path to the presidency.
However, Aoun faces significant challenges, primarily from Hezbollah, which will strive to preserve its independence and influence in Lebanon through its armed might.
Hezbollah parliamentary bloc leader Mohammad Raad wasted no time in declaring after Aoun's speech that Hezbollah remains the true protector of the Lebanese people.
In the short term, Aoun faces a dual challenge: forming a functioning government capable of pushing through the reforms needed for Lebanon's recovery while limiting Hezbollah's influence (assuming he cannot prevent Hezbollah's participation in the government).
He must also appoint a new army commander to lead the Lebanese army in implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel and prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese government will apparently remain unviable. Moreover, the procedures in that country prevent Israel from consolidating its victory, since they demand the two-state solution, which does not allow the end of terrorism in Gaza, or in Lebanon. The cleansing of the Gaza Strip must continue.