The new president, Joseph Aoun, upon his arrival at Parliament, Jan. 9, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Why was Joseph Aoun elected as the 14th president of Lebanon after more than two years of deadlock? The answer lies primarily in his inaugural address — a powerful, even historic, speech that was firm yet unifying. Notably absent was any mention of the term “resistance” or the once-revered trichotomy of “army, people, resistance.” It was quite the opposite. Speaking before the 99 MPs who elected him, as well as the 29 others who abstained, the army chief pledged that, under his presidency, the Lebanese state would have the exclusive monopoly on weapons. This commitment alone represents a break from the policies of his predecessors, at least since the Doha Agreement.Aoun vowed to strengthen the legitimate army to “secure the borders, in the south as well as the east and north, combat terrorism, implement U.N. resolutions, and confront...
Why was Joseph Aoun elected as the 14th president of Lebanon after more than two years of deadlock? The answer lies primarily in his inaugural address — a powerful, even historic, speech that was firm yet unifying. Notably absent was any mention of the term “resistance” or the once-revered trichotomy of “army, people, resistance.” It was quite the opposite. Speaking before the 99 MPs who elected him, as well as the 29 others who abstained, the army chief pledged that, under his presidency, the Lebanese state would have the exclusive monopoly on weapons. This commitment alone represents a break from the policies of his predecessors, at least since the Doha Agreement.Aoun vowed to strengthen the legitimate army to “secure the borders, in the south as well as the east and north, combat terrorism, implement U.N. resolutions,...