
People wave Lebanese flags after the election of Joseph Aoun as president on Jan. 9, 2025, in the village of Marjayoun. (Credit: AFP)
The weather was pleasant Friday morning in the heart of Beirut. The atmosphere seemed lighter since the army’s commander, Joseph Aoun, was elected president the previous day. This was after more than two years of vacancy during which Lebanon, in crisis since 2019, experienced a devastating war with Israel.
Maya, 42, stood in front of her shop in the Gemmayzeh neighborhood, observing the hectic traffic at the end of the week.
"I am happy that the army's commander was elected; I appreciate his firm approach, it's what we need right now," she said. From his inaugural speech, she recalled his words on law enforcement, economic recovery, peace and security.
‘Repair everything Assad caused in Lebanon’
Salem, 45, was on his way to his bank.
"I am optimistic and notice around me enthusiasm rarely seen for a public figure," he said. He trusted in the promised reforms, especially "to repair everything that the deposed tyrant Bashar al-Assad caused in Lebanon."
In front of a small shop in the district, three men were talking. Roger, the oldest, agreeed to share his view.
"We needed a strong character like him; we just hope that everyone will cooperate to ensure the success of his term," he explained.
Two friends, Carole, 30, and Roula, 35, were equally enthusiastic.
"It's the first time a politician’s speech on rebuilding the state seems so convincing," Carole stated.
"Listening to him, I felt that, for once, a vicious circle has been broken, but I hope he can achieve a quarter of what he promised," Roula said.
Encouraging track record
On the Manara corniche, the radiant sun attracted walkers and fishermen as usual. One of them, Ibrahim, 37, paused his favorite activity to express his "happiness" at the end of the presidential vacancy.
"We have known Joseph Aoun as the head of the army, and his path is encouraging," he said. The inaugural speech captivated him with its "objective and detail-oriented" nature.
More skeptical, Sawsan, in her forties, completing her daily jog on the seafront, said she was only satisfied because "the presidential vacancy has ended, while the country has suffered so many wars." The identity of the president mattered little to her, especially since "many make promises, and few fulfill them." For Ghandi, 58, "the new president is part of the political class, even if he claims otherwise."
"But the state has a leader again, which is what matters because there is finally someone who can take responsibility for the country," he continued.
Avoiding traps
In south Lebanon, ravaged by the last war between Hezbollah and Israel, the president’s inaugural speech reassured. Said*, from Sour, appreciated the promised reforms by the new head of state.
"But the Lebanese political system is not presidential. Will Joseph Aoun be able to implement all these promises if the government does not align with him?" he asked.
Amal, from Aishieh, Joseph Aoun’s hometown in the Jezzine district, did not hide her happiness.
"Is it possible that Lebanon is finally entering a period of peace and prosperity?" she said.
While Mohammad Harb, from Nabatieh, wished the new president success "by avoiding the traps laid by those who wish him harm," Hassan Shalhoub, from Tayrfalsay (Sour), hoped he could "resolve all the problems caused by the previous term," referring to Michel Aoun's presidency, which ended in October 2022.
‘Roadmap for the Oct. 17 Revolution’
The enthusiasm was palpable in the North as well. For Jamal Khodr, a farmer and activist, the ascent to power of the army’s chief signified "the end of the dominance of the axis of resistance over Lebanon," referring to the Hezbollah-dominated camp. For him, "the inaugural speech is a roadmap for the Oct. 17 revolution (the 2019 popular uprising) and for the opposition in general."
Shouhaib Zakaria, an activist and journalist, particularly noted the "clear and comprehensive" speech's emphasis on the monopoly of arms by official institutions, "a necessary step to restore the state’s prestige."
"Realizing Joseph Aoun’s vision is the only way to restore trust between the state and citizens," he argued.
Antoine Daher, president of the environment committee in Qobayat (Akkar), welcomed the reformative spirit of the speech and urged the new president to consider the environment as a priority.
In the Bekaa, Jocelyne Nasser, 46, a teacher in the West Bekaa region, supported the new head of state’s promises of decentralization.
"We have 200 percent confidence in a new Lebanon," she stated. Raine Abdel Ahad, also from Zahle, primarily hoped for "economic recovery and the development of the job market, so that young people can secure their future."
*Name has been changed
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.