Who is Joseph Aoun, the new President of the Lebanese Republic?

After a two-year presidential vacuum in Lebanon, the Lebanese parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic, making him the fifth Lebanese Army Commander to hold this position in the country's history, and the fourth in a row.

Joseph Aoun President of the Republic

Aoun received 99 votes out of 128 in the second round after he failed to obtain the two-thirds majority required to win the presidency during the first round of parliamentary voting.

The council witnessed a heated debate during the election of a president for the country. The session was attended by the French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan, the ambassadors of the five-member committee, and a number of diplomats.

Birth and upbringing

Joseph Khalil Aoun was born on January 10, 1964, in the town of Sin el Fil, Metn District, central Lebanon. He rose through the military ranks to become Commander of the Lebanese Army on March 8, 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji.

Academic Education and Experience

Aoun holds two degrees in political science and military science. In addition to his proficiency in Arabic, he is fluent in French and English.

Military march

Aoun began his military career in 1983 as a volunteer in the Lebanese Army, and graduated from the officers' course in 1986. He participated in many specialized courses inside and outside Lebanon, including courses in battalion leadership, counterterrorism, and military strategies.

In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and continued to rise through the military ranks until he was appointed Commander of the Army in 2017.

He assumed this position at a critical period in Lebanon's history, when the country faced major security and political challenges, including combating terrorism and ensuring stability in light of escalating crises.

International Experiences

Aoun participated in several training courses, most notably in the United States, where he received infantry training between 1988 and 1995, and counter-terrorism programs between 2008 and 2009. He also underwent specialized courses in Syria during the 1990s and early 2000s.