Can Lebanon's new president save his country from the abyss?
Army chief Joseph Aoun was elected on Thursday as the 14th president of Lebanon, ending a two-year power vacuum.
Taking the helm of a nation in disarray, he inherits a country grappling with economic collapse, political dysfunction, and the lingering scars of recent catastrophes. His ambitions are lofty, but the challenges before him are monumental.
Aoun assumes the presidency amid a fragile truce with Israel, which has been violated hundreds of times since its signing in November 2024. Large swathes of southern Lebanon remain under Israeli occupation.
Domestically, Lebanon is buckling under the weight of a devastating economic crisis that has persisted since 2019, a crippled banking sector, and endemic corruption.
The country also continues to struggle with the aftermath of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020, and it hosts approximately two million Syrian refugees.
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Once a regional beacon of prosperity, Lebanon now languishes in poverty, shunned by western powers for its failure to implement reforms.
In his inauguration speech, Aoun acknowledged these challenges, vowing to implement “vast reforms” and to work for all Lebanese people, regardless of sect or social standing. “We must rethink our approach to borders, economic policies, governance, and environmental protection,” he declared, earning applause from parliamentarians.
'Banks will be held accountable'
Aoun promised to tackle Lebanon’s entrenched banking crisis, particularly the frozen and devalued deposits of ordinary citizens. “Under my leadership, banks will be held accountable and subject to the law,” he said.
Addressing a politically sensitive issue, Aoun hinted at Hezbollah’s arsenal without explicitly mentioning disarmament. “The state must have a monopoly over weapons,” he said, emphasising the need to invest in the Lebanese army to secure borders, combat smuggling and prevent Israeli aggression.
The months ahead will reveal whether his promises of reform and unity can withstand the entrenched political realities of a deeply divided nation
He also proposed a defence strategy, which would involve Hezbollah, aiming to align diplomatic, economic, and military efforts to address Israeli occupation, while strengthening Lebanon’s sovereignty.
On the international stage, Aoun pledged an open foreign policy, seeking to strengthen ties with both east and west while respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty. He emphasised maintaining strong relations with Arab nations and adopting “positive neutrality” in regional conflicts.
This approach appears tailored to appease the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, that have criticised Hezbollah’s regional interventions in Yemen and Iraq. Aoun also expressed a willingness to engage with Syria to address mutual concerns, including refugee repatriation and border sovereignty.
Rocky path to the presidency
Despite his ambitions, Aoun’s path to the presidency was far from smooth. Article 49 of Lebanon’s constitution bars senior officials or public servants from assuming political office without a two-year hiatus from their roles. His election required circumventing this law, drawing sharp criticism from some lawmakers.
The parliamentary session to elect him was fraught with heated exchanges. Aoun failed to secure the two-thirds majority required in the first round of voting, receiving just 71 out of 128 votes.
His breakthrough came in the second round, following closed-door negotiations with Hezbollah and Amal Movement representatives who initially cast blank ballots.
Hezbollah and its allies reportedly sought assurances from Aoun on prioritising an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and rebuilding areas devastated by war, concerns vital to south Lebanon residents.
Aoun’s candidacy was widely perceived as being favoured by the United States, western allies and Saudi Arabia. This alignment, combined with Hezbollah’s reluctant endorsement, reflects Lebanon’s delicate political balance.
While Aoun’s presidency marks a new chapter for Lebanon, the months ahead will reveal whether his promises of reform and unity can withstand the entrenched political realities of a deeply divided nation.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
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