Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
I can’t remember the last time I wrote that I’m encouraged by what’s happening in Lebanon.
Probably because I never have written that.
But I have to say that I’m cautiously optimistic by recent events there and I’m praying for better days ahead for the Cedar State.
Amidst war and terror, an economic depression, and a political crisis that has nearly paralyzed the country, the Lebanese parliament has finally elected a new president.
And he’s not a radical Islamist or a war-mongering lunatic.
On Friday, January 9th, Joseph Aoun was chosen after thirteen unsuccessful attempts to elect a consensus candidate since October 2022.
Joseph — a Maronite Christian and former head of the Lebanese army — was voted in with 99 of the 128 votes in the legislature.
Aoun was backed by the U.S., France, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all of whom have been pressing for a rational, responsible figure to emerge who is not a puppet of the Iranian regime of Hezbollah — Iran’s terror proxy army that has dominated and essentially enslaved Lebanon for decades.
Aoun celebrated his 61st birthday the day after he was sworn in.
And most Lebanese citizens were celebrating with him.
LEBANESE AND ISRAELI LEADERS ARE PRAISING AOUN’S RISE TO POWER
Aoun’s emergence was made possible by the massive miscalculation made by the aging and infirm Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Hezbollah’s apocalyptic Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.
By launching war against Israel in October 2023 — in collusion with Hamas — the two men set into motion the utter decapitation of Hezbollah’s entire leadership structure as well as the assassination of Nasrallah himself.
This, combined with the ceasefire with Israel that began on November 27th, and the fall of Bashar Al-Assad — the demon of Damascus — in December, has suddenly loosened Tehran’s grip on Lebanon and made it possible for a moderate and potentially unifying figure to be chosen.
To be sure, Aoun won’t have the constitutional power to fix all of Lebanon’s many woes.
But many Lebanese leaders sound hopeful.
“All presidents were elected either during the period of Syrian tutelage or at a time when Hezbollah controlled decisions,” said
Sami Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb party, as he praised Aoun’s election.
“We categorically refuse anyone intervening in Lebanon or using our country as a missile launch base, as Iran has done over the past 15 years…which has led to wars that we paid a high price for, notably through destruction in the South.”
“We hope the Arab world will continue to support us in relaunching reconstruction and putting Lebanon on the path to progress, development, and prosperity,” he added.
Imad Salamey, a Middle Eastern politics expert at the Lebanese American University praised Aoun’s lack of partisanship during his tenure as army commander, saying, “Under his leadership, the army maintained inclusivity and neutrality, protecting Lebanon’s stability amid crises. Aoun demonstrated independence and accountability, refusing to align the military with political factions. This stance, particularly in turbulent times, set him apart as a capable and principled leader.”
Even Israeli leaders like Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar are expressing hope that Aoun can help Lebanon reassert its sovereignty and independence and lead to better, calmer, quieter relations with Israel.
“I congratulate Lebanon upon the election of a new President, following a lengthy political crisis,” Sa’ar wrote on X on Friday.
“I hope that this choice will contribute towards stability, a better future for Lebanon and its people, and to good neighborly relations.”
WHAT IS JOSEPH AOUN’S VISION FOR LEBANON’S FUTURE?
ALL ARAB NEWS will closely monitor Aoun’s statements and actions in the weeks and months ahead.
But we begin by sharing excerpts from the new president’s opening speech to his nation.
“I say to the Lebanese people everywhere: We are entering a new era for Lebanon,” he began.
“We need equality between all citizens, because to have a state you need equality in the eyes of the law,” he stated, speaking specifically to Christian and other minorities who have suffered under the jackboot of Tehran and Hezbollah.
“This means an end to mafias, drug trafficking and interference in the justice system to protect criminals. Justice is the only protection for all citizens.”
Aoun continued: “We’re going through a crisis of power, a crisis of understanding of democracy, a crisis of power and leaders. I pledge to the Lebanese people that I will work to restore Lebanon’s image abroad, and to fight poverty and unemployment. The authorities will have a monopoly on arms. The State must invest in its army to be able to protect its borders, fight smuggling and terrorism, and prevent Israeli aggression on its territory.”
The parliament erupted in applause at this thinly veiled reference to disarming Hezbollah.
To that end, Aoun vowed, “I will work to revitalize the role of the security forces” to be more powerful than any terror group inside the country.
Aoun also promised to have better relations with friendly countries, including the U.S. and other democracies.
“My mandate will be one of openness to the East and West, to the international community based on mutual respect, Lebanon’s sovereignty, and the country’s freedom to make its own decisions.” he said.
Joel C. Rosenberg
Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of All Arab News. He is a New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical who lives in Jerusalem.
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