Residents of Qleyaa, southern Lebanon, celebrate the election of the new president, Joseph Aoun, on Jan. 9, 2025. (Credit: AFP)
Tensions with Gulf countries defined the mandate of former President Michel Aoun and contributed to its ultimate failure.Back then, upon his election and despite being seen as a pro-Iranian candidate, Michel Aoun chose Riyadh for his first official visit, signaling a desire to engage with Arab countries. Read more Who are Joseph Aoun’s trusted allies? Nine years later, his successor, Joseph Aoun, was elected with the support of Saudi Arabia, whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, extended a highly symbolic invitation to the new president for an official visit.Flashback to 2005. Upon returning from exile in Paris, Michel sought to achieve the goals that had eluded him. He relied on broad popular support across Lebanon — particularly among Christians — recognition of his status as a former army commander and a...
Tensions with Gulf countries defined the mandate of former President Michel Aoun and contributed to its ultimate failure.Back then, upon his election and despite being seen as a pro-Iranian candidate, Michel Aoun chose Riyadh for his first official visit, signaling a desire to engage with Arab countries. Read more Who are Joseph Aoun’s trusted allies? Nine years later, his successor, Joseph Aoun, was elected with the support of Saudi Arabia, whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, extended a highly symbolic invitation to the new president for an official visit.Flashback to 2005. Upon returning from exile in Paris, Michel sought to achieve the goals that had eluded him. He relied on broad popular support across Lebanon — particularly among Christians — recognition of his status as a former army commander and...