Egypt Daily News – The Lebanese Parliament voted to elect Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, after a presidential vacancy that lasted for two years.
Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, announced that Army Commander Joseph Aoun received 99 votes out of 128, thus becoming President of Lebanon.
Joseph Khalil Aoun is the fourteenth commander of the Lebanese Army. He assumed command of the army since March 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji.
He began his career in the Lebanese Army in 1983. He rose steadily until he attained the rank of Staff Brigadier in 2013. In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of General and appointed Commander of the Lebanese Army.
He was born on December 10, 1964 in the town of Sin El Fil in the Matn District. Aoun received several military medals during his career, including the War Medal three times, the Wounded Medal twice, the National Unity Medal, and the South Dawn Medal.
He also received the Lebanese Order of Merit, third, second, and first class, the National Cedar Medal, knight rank, and the Anti-Terrorism Medal.
The New Lebanese president-elect affirms the state’s right to monopolize the carrying of weapons
Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun pledged to end the phenomenon of money laundering and drug trade, saying: “There will be no smuggling, money laundering, drug trade, or interference in the judiciary after today.”
After taking the constitutional oath as President of the country, Joseph Aoun added, “I pledge to exercise my role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stressing the state’s right to monopolize the carrying of arms.”
Joseph Aoun pledged to ensure the activation of the work of the security services as a tool for maintaining security and enforcing laws. He explained that he would refuse to resettle Palestinians “in order to preserve the right of return,” would establish strategic partnerships with the countries of the Levant and Maghreb, and would practice a policy of positive neutrality.
Regarding the relationship with Syria, Aoun said: “We have an opportunity to establish good relations with the Syrian state,” adding, “We will begin a serious dialogue with Syria to respect the sovereignty of the two countries,” noting the necessity of respecting the borders between the two countries.
