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PHOTO ESSAY

In pictures: Joseph Aoun's election to Lebanese presidency

It took more than two years and 13 sessions for Parliament to finally elect a new president, the 14th in the country’s history, Gen. Joseph Aoun, who had been serving as commander of the Lebanese Army.

Following intense political and diplomatic negotiations in recent days, set against the backdrop of the cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, MPs — who had previously failed to elect a new head of state — reached an agreement during the two-round vote on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Here’s a look back, in images, at the day that took Joseph Aoun from his offices in Yarze to Parliament at Place de l’Étoile and, ultimately, to the presidential palace in Baabda.

By Matthieu KARAM, Mohammad YASSINE, 09 January 2025 19:36

Shortly before 11 a.m., soldiers and journalists gathered in front of the parliament building, waiting for the MPs to arrive in time for this 13th electoral session, which many hope will finally lead to the election of a new president in a Lebanon in crisis. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Shortly before 11 a.m., soldiers and journalists gathered in front of the parliament building, waiting for the MPs to arrive in time for this 13th electoral session, which many hope will finally lead to the election of a new president in a Lebanon in crisis. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

At 11 a.m., the master of the perch, Nabih Berri, announced the opening of the full session: 128 MPs present, as well as the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and his government. Diplomats and international emissaries were also invited to the session. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

At 11 a.m., the master of the perch, Nabih Berri, announced the opening of the full session: 128 MPs present, as well as the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and his government. Diplomats and international emissaries were also invited to the session. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Among these emissaries is Jean-Yves Le Drian, President Emmanuel Macron's envoy, exchanging views with the diplomatic corps on the Hemicycle balcony. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Among these emissaries is Jean-Yves Le Drian, President Emmanuel Macron's envoy, exchanging views with the diplomatic corps on the Hemicycle balcony. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Despite some tense exchanges between MPs at the start of the session, the vote, which was held in two rounds, went smoothly overall. Here, House Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Despite some tense exchanges between MPs at the start of the session, the vote, which was held in two rounds, went smoothly overall. Here, House Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After a two-hour break following the first round, the outcome of the vote is known in advance: Joseph Aoun will be elected President of the Republic. While awaiting his arrival in the Hemicycle, the military rolled out the red carpet. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After a two-hour break following the first round, the outcome of the vote is known in advance: Joseph Aoun will be elected President of the Republic. While awaiting his arrival in the Hemicycle, the military rolled out the red carpet. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

A few kilometers from the Place de l'Étoile, the presidential convoy, escorted by motorcyclists, takes Joseph Aoun from his offices in Yarze, to downtown Beirut, a few minutes after the final results. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)

A few kilometers from the Place de l'Étoile, the presidential convoy, escorted by motorcyclists, takes Joseph Aoun from his offices in Yarze, to downtown Beirut, a few minutes after the final results. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)

The new head of state reviews the presidential guard as he prepares to enter Parliament. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

The new head of state reviews the presidential guard as he prepares to enter Parliament. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After being elected with 99 votes out of 128 MPs, President-elect Joseph Aoun addressed the Parliament and the Lebanese people, in a swearing-in ceremony packed with promises. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After being elected with 99 votes out of 128 MPs, President-elect Joseph Aoun addressed the Parliament and the Lebanese people, in a swearing-in ceremony packed with promises. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After receiving the congratulations of the MPs in the parliament's lounge, Joseph Aoun made his way to the presidential palace in Baabda, where he took up residence. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

After receiving the congratulations of the MPs in the parliament's lounge, Joseph Aoun made his way to the presidential palace in Baabda, where he took up residence. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

On the same topic
  • Shortly before 11 a.m., soldiers and journalists gathered in front of the parliament building, waiting for the MPs to arrive in time for this 13th electoral session, which many hope will finally lead to the election of a new president in a Lebanon in crisis. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    1/9 Shortly before 11 a.m., soldiers and journalists gathered in front of the parliament building, waiting for the MPs to arrive in time for this 13th electoral session, which many hope will finally lead to the election of a new president in a Lebanon in crisis. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • At 11 a.m., the master of the perch, Nabih Berri, announced the opening of the full session: 128 MPs present, as well as the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and his government. Diplomats and international emissaries were also invited to the session. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    2/9 At 11 a.m., the master of the perch, Nabih Berri, announced the opening of the full session: 128 MPs present, as well as the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and his government. Diplomats and international emissaries were also invited to the session. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • Among these emissaries is Jean-Yves Le Drian, President Emmanuel Macron's envoy, exchanging views with the diplomatic corps on the Hemicycle balcony. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    3/9 Among these emissaries is Jean-Yves Le Drian, President Emmanuel Macron's envoy, exchanging views with the diplomatic corps on the Hemicycle balcony. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • Despite some tense exchanges between MPs at the start of the session, the vote, which was held in two rounds, went smoothly overall. Here, House Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    4/9 Despite some tense exchanges between MPs at the start of the session, the vote, which was held in two rounds, went smoothly overall. Here, House Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • After a two-hour break following the first round, the outcome of the vote is known in advance: Joseph Aoun will be elected President of the Republic. While awaiting his arrival in the Hemicycle, the military rolled out the red carpet. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    5/9 After a two-hour break following the first round, the outcome of the vote is known in advance: Joseph Aoun will be elected President of the Republic. While awaiting his arrival in the Hemicycle, the military rolled out the red carpet. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • A few kilometers from the Place de l'Étoile, the presidential convoy, escorted by motorcyclists, takes Joseph Aoun from his offices in Yarze, to downtown Beirut, a few minutes after the final results. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    6/9 A few kilometers from the Place de l'Étoile, the presidential convoy, escorted by motorcyclists, takes Joseph Aoun from his offices in Yarze, to downtown Beirut, a few minutes after the final results. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • The new head of state reviews the presidential guard as he prepares to enter Parliament. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    7/9 The new head of state reviews the presidential guard as he prepares to enter Parliament. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • After being elected with 99 votes out of 128 MPs, President-elect Joseph Aoun addressed the Parliament and the Lebanese people, in a swearing-in ceremony packed with promises. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    8/9 After being elected with 99 votes out of 128 MPs, President-elect Joseph Aoun addressed the Parliament and the Lebanese people, in a swearing-in ceremony packed with promises. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
  • After receiving the congratulations of the MPs in the parliament's lounge, Joseph Aoun made his way to the presidential palace in Baabda, where he took up residence. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
    9/9 After receiving the congratulations of the MPs in the parliament's lounge, Joseph Aoun made his way to the presidential palace in Baabda, where he took up residence. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)