Lebanon Elects General Joseph Aoun as President
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Lebanon's parliament elected Army Chief General Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday, Jan. 9, ending the power vacuum that had persisted since 2022.
General Aoun secured 99 votes in the second round of voting for the presidency. After the result was announced, the newly elected president arrived at the parliament, dressed in a suit rather than military fatigues. Central Beirut was locked down by security.
In his maiden speech, General Aoun clarified that only authorities will have monopolies on weapons. He also said, "The state must invest in its army, to be able to protect its borders, fight against borders, smuggling and terrorism, and prevent Israeli aggression on the territory.”
General Aoun has become the 14th president of Lebanon.