Joseph Aoun was elected as Lebanon’s President on January 9, 2025, after two rounds of voting.

Aoun is Lebanon’s former chief army commander and a public servant. Critics argue that the country’s constitution prohibits public servants, including members of the military, from assuming political office while still in service. However, it is not expected that any contention regarding this will arise, as reported by The New Arab and Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Citizens will look to Aoun’s leadership to safeguard the country’s independence and unify its armed forces, especially amid the fractured relationships between Hezbollah and other political parties.

The Lebanese Parliament is responsible for electing the President. The President is elected by secret ballot and requires a two-thirds majority of the Chamber of Deputies, which consists of 128 elected deputies representing the country’s electorate. After the first ballot, an absolute majority shall be sufficient.

Aoun secured the presidency after obtaining an absolute majority in the second round of voting.

Newly elected Aoun will lead the Parliament to tackle the country’s declining economic crisis.

The election follows the launch of a $374.1 million Flash Appeal, which was jointly announced by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza. The appeal aims to support the urgent injection of funds for civilians and refugees.

The Minister of Environment and Coordinator of the Government Emergency Committee, Nasser Yassin, emphasised the importance of supporting the renewal of public institutions and governance, in addition to humanitarian assistance.

“While additional humanitarian assistance is essential, Lebanon’s institutions and public sector also require significant support to prevent the collapse of basic and social services,” Yassin said.