Hezbollah supporters demonstrate against the visit of Commander of the U.S. Army Central Command, Kenneth Franklin McKenzie to Lebanon. (Credit: AFP/File)
BEIRUT — U.S. officials are urging for the election of a new Lebanese president following significant Israeli strikes that have weakened Hezbollah's leadership and infrastructure, according to Axios. The White House sees an opportunity to break the political deadlock, as Lebanon has been without a president for nearly two years, worsening the country's instability.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other key figures were killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, which also caused over 1,100 deaths in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry. With Hezbollah’s influence diminished, the U.S. believes now is the time to elect a president who is not aligned with the party, two U.S. officials told Axios.
One potential candidate is Gen. Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese armed forces, who has the backing of the U.S. and France.
The U.S. sees the election of a Lebanese president as a top priority, even before a push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to Axios.