In a significant political shift, Army Chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as Lebanon's new president following a second round of voting by lawmakers on Thursday.
Aoun secured 99 votes in the decisive round, with 128 members of parliament present during the session, as reported by Lebanese TV channel Al Jadeed. This victory brings an end to over two years of presidential vacancy in the country.
Initially, Aoun did not obtain the required two-thirds majority of 86 votes in the first round, leading the parliament to adjourn for two hours before reconvening for the second round of voting. In the second round, a simple majority of 65 votes was sufficient for his election.
Lebanon had been without a president since October 2022, when the term of former President Michel Aoun – not related to Joseph Aoun – concluded.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
