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2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election

(Redirected from 2022–2024 Lebanese presidential election)

The 2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election was an indirect election to elect the president of Lebanon following the expiration of term-limited incumbent Michel Aoun's mandate on 31 October 2022.[1] Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Joseph Aoun (no relation to Michel),[2] was elected President of Lebanon in the second round of voting during the thirteenth parliamentary session on 9 January 2025, securing 99 votes. He took office on the same day while retaining his position as the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, becoming the 14th President of Lebanon and the fifth army commander to assume the role of head of state.

2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election
← 2014–16 29 September 2022 – 9 January 2025 2031 →
Turnout128 (100%)
 
Gen. Joseph K. Aoun Participates in a Wreath-Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (cropped).jpg
07-09-03_09-40-16_Mallat_speaking_(cropped).jpg
Nominee Joseph Aoun Chibli Mallat
Party Independent[a] Independent
Electoral vote 99 2
Percentage 77.34% 1.56%
President before election

Michel Aoun[b]
Free Patriotic Movement

Elected President

Joseph Aoun
Independent[a]

Under Article 49 of Lebanese constitution, in the first round of a vote session, a qualified majority of two-thirds of the members of the Lebanese Parliament is required to elect the President. If no candidate reaches that threshold, further rounds of election are held where an absolute majority of the members legally constituting the parliament is sufficient to elect the president.[3] The years-long process was not without precedent, with the previous election taking forty-six sessions with multiple rounds across two years.[4]

By convention, the presidency is always held by a Maronite Christian. The incumbent president is not eligible for re-election until six years have lapsed since the expiration of his mandate.[5]

Background

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2019–21 protests

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Main article: 17 October Revolution
 
2019 Lebanese protests in Antelias

Large-scale anti-government demonstrations ignited in Lebanon on 17 October 2019. Initially triggered in response to a rise in gas and tobacco prices as well as a new tax on messaging applications,[6] the demonstrations quickly turned into a revolution against the stagnation of the economy, unemployment, Lebanon's sectarian and hereditary political system, corruption and the government's inability to provide essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation.[7] Prime Minister Saad Hariri ended up resigning on 29 October 2019.[8]

Hassan Diab was appointed prime minister by President Michel Aoun on 19 December 2019.[9] His government obtained the confidence of parliament by 69 votes in its favour.[10]

However, the country's economic situation continued to deteriorate. The government was over 95 billion dollars in debt by the end of 2020,[11] the Lebanese pound lost 70% of its value in six months,[12] and 35% of the active population was unemployed.[13] Riots broke out in Beirut and Tripoli and Jounieh.[13]

Beirut explosion

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Main article: 2020 Beirut explosion

On 4 August 2020, the explosion of several thousand tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar in the Port of Beirut caused considerable human and material damage across the city and the port. The final toll was 218 dead and over 7,000 injured[14] and damage estimated at nearly four billion euros by the World Bank and estimated to have left 300,000 homeless.[15] The industrial-port zone of the Port of Beirut was badly affected, further aggravating the economic situation. The port, through which 60% of the country's imports transit, is the most important trading centre in Lebanon.[citation needed]

The blast was so powerful that it physically shook the whole country of Lebanon. It was felt in Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, as well as parts of Europe, and was heard in Cyprus, more than 240 km (150 mi) away.[16] It was detected by the United States Geological Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.3 and is considered one of the most powerful accidental artificial non-nuclear explosions in history.[16]

The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency in response to the disaster. In its aftermath, protests erupted across Lebanon against the government for their failure to prevent the disaster, joining a larger series of protests which had been taking place across the country since 2019. On 10 August 2020, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the Lebanese cabinet resigned.[17]

The adjacent grain silos were badly damaged. In July and August 2022, part of the silos collapsed following a weeks-long fire in the remaining grain.[18]

2022 parliamentary elections

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In May 2022, Lebanon held its first election since a painful economic crisis dragged it to the brink of becoming a failed state. Lebanon's crisis has been so severe that more than 80 percent of the population is now considered poor by the United Nations. In the election Iran-backed Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement and its allies lost their parliamentary majority. Hezbollah did not lose any of its seats, but its allies lost seats. Hezbollah's ally, President Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, was no longer the biggest Christian party after the election. A rival Christian party, led by Samir Geagea, with close ties to Saudi Arabia, the Lebanese Forces (LF), made gains. Sunni Future Movement, led by former prime minister Saad Hariri, did not participate the election, leaving a political vacuum to other Sunni politicians to fill.[19][20][21]

Israel–Hezbollah conflict and fall of the Assad regime

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Josep Borrell attending the International Conference in Support of the Population and Sovereignty of Lebanon in Paris, France (24 October 2024)

A day after Hamas launched its 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel and Israel began its bombing of Gaza, Hezbollah joined the conflict in "solidarity with the Palestinians"[22][23] by firing on Israeli military outposts in Shebaa Farms,[23] and Golan Heights[24] — both territories under Israeli occupation.[24] Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have been involved in cross-border military exchanges that have displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to buildings and land along the border. This was followed by an invasion of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has been severely weakened by Israeli military actions, losing many high-ranking officials, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah.[25] This has eroded Hezbollah's operational and financial strength.[26]

After the fall of the Assad regime, rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani stated that Syria will not get involved in Lebanon's affairs stressing that "if the Lebanese agree on Joseph Aoun as president, we will support him." which is contrary to the Assad regime's influence on previous Lebanese presidential elections.[27]

Electoral system

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The Constitution of Lebanon does not provide for a specific candidacy procedure. Therefore, no individuals can be deemed to be official candidates, but legally only express an interest in the position.

Under article 49 of the Lebanese Constitution, a qualified majority of two-thirds of the members of the Lebanese Parliament is required to elect the president in the first round. The quorum also amounts to two-thirds of the Parliament. In the second round, a president can be elected by a simple majority of 65 deputies. There is however ambiguity on the constitutionality of the two-thirds quorum, since constitutional texts do not explicitly mention it. Some have interpreted this omission as intentional, such as legal scholar Assam Khalifeh, while Speaker Nabih Berri has relied on the opposite interpretation to enable his allies to resort to quorum-busting. An example of this would be the 2014–2016 Lebanese presidential election, where quorum would not be met for forty-three electoral sessions.

The Constitution also states that, in the last ten days of the incumbent's tenure, the Parliament is vested in the powers of an electoral college.

National Pact

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Main article: National Pact

Access to the Lebanese presidency is subject to an informal agreement known as the National Pact. Agreed in 1943, the latter limits this office only to members of the Maronite Christian faith.[28]

The National Pact is based on an unwritten agreement concluded in 1943 between the Maronite Christian president Bechara El Khoury and his Sunni prime minister Riad Al Solh when Lebanon gained independence from France. The pact stipulates that the president of the Republic must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the Speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim.[29]

Candidates

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Declared interest

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Declared candidates include:

Other potential candidates

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Kataeb Party

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Lebanese Forces

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Free Patriotic Movement

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  • Gebran Bassil, MP (2018–present), incumbent party leader (2015–present) and former Minister of Telecommunications (2009–2009), Energy and Water (2009–2014) and Foreign Affairs (2014–2020)[42]
  • Ibrahim Kanaan, MP (2005–present) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Budget and Financial Affairs Commission (2009–present).[43][44]

Other

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Withdrawals

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Election

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First to fourth sessions

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The first electoral session was held on 29 September 2022. The first and only round did not result in any candidate's election, due to the need to secure an absolute majority of 86 votes. Notably, 10 MPs voted for "Lebanon" while one vote went to Mahsa Amini. Before the second round, a number of deputies unexpectedly left the Chamber, leading the assembly to lose the quorum by one MP and postponing the vote without a second round.[51]

A second session was held on 13 October but failed to secure a quorum with only 71 out of 128 deputies being there due to FPM boycotting the session in memorial of 13 October 1990, below the quorum of 2/3 (86 deputies).[52][53]

A third session was held on 20 October 2022.[54] Michel Moawad received 42 votes, 55 MPs voted with a blank slip, one MP voted for Milad Abou Malhab. 17 MPs submitted ballots reading "New Lebanon", and one each for "Ruler, savior and reformer", "For Lebanon", "Righteous dictator" and "Nobody".[55] The second round was once again cancelled as FPM deputies left the Chamber, causing the loss of the quorum.[56]

The fourth session to elect a president was held on 24 October with the presence of 114 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 39 votes, while 50 blank ballots were registered, and 10 votes for Issam Khalifeh, a reputable academic nominated by a number of pro-Change MPs. A number of MPs voted "New Lebanon" as in the previous session, while Jamil Al Sayyed wrote "My Condolences" on his ballot paper. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held.[57]

First session[58] Second session[59] Third session[60] Fourth session[61]
29 September 13 October 20 October 24 October
Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Michel Moawad IM 36 76.60 No quorum Michel Moawad IM 42 97.67 Michel Moawad IM 39 79.59
Salim Eddé Ind. 11 23.40 Milad Abou Malhab Ind. 1 2.33 Issam Khalifeh Ind. 10 20.41
Valid votes 47 38.52 Valid votes N/A Valid votes 43 36.13 Valid votes 49 42.98
Blank votes 63 51.64 Blank votes N/A Blank votes 55 46.22 Blank votes 50 43.86
Invalid votes 12 9.84 Invalid votes N/A Invalid votes 21 17.65 Invalid votes 15 13.16
Total 122 100 Total 71 Total 119 100 Total 114 100
Eligible voters/turnout 128 95.31 Eligible voters/turnout 128 Eligible voters/turnout 128 92.97 Eligible voters/turnout 128 89.06

Power vacuum

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Michel Aoun signed the government's resignation decree, a day before his six-year term officially ended, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government remains in office in a caretaker capacity, which is unconstitutional since it goes against Aoun's request for the cabinet's step-down after numerous attempts failed to form a new cabinet.[62][63] Aoun's term officially ended on 31 October 2022 after 6 years in office, with no successor designated, similarly to his predecessors.[64][65]

Fifth session

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The fifth session to elect a president was held on 10 November with the presence of 108 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 44 votes, while 47 blank ballots were registered, 6 votes for Issam Khalifeh, a reputable academic nominated by a number of pro-Change MPs, 1 vote for former Minister Ziyad Baroud from Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab and 1 vote for Ziad Hayek from Elias Jaradeh. 7 MPs voted "New Lebanon" as in the previous session, while Zgharta MP Michel Douaihy wrote "Plan B" on his ballot paper and one vote went "For Lebanon". As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held.[66][67]

First Round[68]
Candidate Party Votes %
Michel Moawad IM 44 84.61
Issam Khalifeh Ind. 6 11.53
Ziyad Baroud Ind. 1 1.92
Ziad Hayek Ind. 1 1.92
Valid votes 52 48.14
Blank votes 47 43.51
Invalid votes 9 9.72
Total 108 100
Eligible voters/turnout 128 84.38

Sixth session

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The sixth session to elect a president was held on 17 November with the presence of 112 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 43 votes, while 46 blank ballots were registered, 7 votes for Issam Khalifeh, 1 vote for former Minister Ziyad Baroud, 1 vote for MP Michel Daher and 1 vote for Suleiman Frangieh Jr. 9 MPs voted "New Lebanon" while 2 ballots were cancelled. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held, a seventh session was scheduled for Thursday 24 November.[69]

First Round[70]
Candidate Party Votes %
Michel Moawad IM 43 78.18
Issam Khalifeh Ind. 7 12.73
Ziyad Baroud Ind. 3 5.45
Suleiman Frangieh Marada 1 1.82
Michel Daher Ind. 1 1.82
Valid votes 55 49.11
Blank votes 46 41.07
Invalid votes 11 9.82
Total 112 100
Eligible voters/turnout 128 87.50

Seventh to eleventh session

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No significant developments occurred between the seventh to eleventh sessions to elect a president. No candidate obtained a majority in the first rounds of the voting. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held.[71][72]

The tenth session to elect a president was held on 15 December 2022. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. The next session, scheduled for 12 January 2023, was postponed by the speaker due to the death of Hussein El-Husseini.[73]

The eleventh session to elect a president was held on 19 January 2023. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. After the election two MPs from the Change Movement, Najat A. Saliba and Melhem Khalaf, locked themselves in parliament in protest.[74]

Seventh session[58] Eighth session[59] Ninth session[60] Tenth session[61] Eleventh session[74]
24 November 1 December 8 December 15 December 19 January
Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Michel Moawad IM 42 82.35 Michel Moawad IM 37 82.22 Michel Moawad IM 39 78.00 Michel Moawad IM 38 73.08 Michel Moawad IM 34 75.55
Issam Khalifeh Ind. 6 11.76 Issam Khalifeh Ind. 4 8.88 Issam Khalifeh Ind. 5 10.00 Issam Khalifeh Ind. 8 15.38 Issam Khalifeh Ind. 7 15.55
Ziyad Baroud Ind. 2 3.92 Ziyad Baroud Ind. 2 4.44 Bedri Daher Ind. 3 6.00 Ziyad Baroud Ind. 2 3.85 Ziyad Baroud Ind. 2 4.44
Bedri Daher Ind. 1 1.96 Bedri Daher Ind. 1 2.22 Ziyad Baroud Ind. 1 2.00 Salah Honein Ind. 2 3.85 Salah Honein Ind. 1 2.22
Bechara Abi Younes Ind. 1 2.22 Milad Abou Malhab Ind. 1 2.00 Milad Abou Malhab Ind. 1 1.92 Milad Abou Malhab Ind. 1 2.22
Salah Honein Ind. 1 2.00 Chafic Merhi Ind. 1 1.92
Valid votes 51 46.36 Valid votes 45 40.54 Valid votes 50 47.62 Valid votes 52 47.71 Valid votes 45 40.54
Blank votes 50 45.45 Blank votes 52 46.84 Blank votes 39 37.14 Blank votes 37 33.94 Blank votes 37 33.33
Invalid votes 9 8.18 Invalid votes 14 12.61 Invalid votes 16 15.24 Invalid votes 20 18.35 Invalid votes 29 26.13
Total 110 100 Total 111 100 Total 105 100 Total 109 100 Total 111 100
Eligible voters/turnout 128 85.93 Eligible voters/turnout 128 86.71 Eligible voters/turnout 128 82.03 Eligible voters/turnout 128 85.16 Eligible voters/turnout 128 86.72

Standoff and foreign delegation

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After the eleventh electoral session, Speaker Nabih Berri announced he would hold off of calling a twelfth session to elect a president unless he sees what he deems as "a sort of agreement" on a candidate. In response, Change MPs, joined by multiple parties, called for consecutive and successive ballots to be held until a president is chosen. Two reformist deputies, Melhem Khalaf and Najat Saliba, staged a sit-in in the Chamber of Deputies until a new session is held and remained there until the election of Joseph Aoun.[75]

In early June, the United States declared that it was thinking about imposing sanctions on individuals who had interfered with the election. Speaker Nabih Berri, who hadn't summoned a session since January, may have been referenced in this statement. Berri released a statement the next day in which he absolved himself of all blame for the obstruction. The international community has urged Lebanon to pick a new president and carry out the reforms necessary to secure a financial bailout arrangement on numerous occasions.[76]

In February 2023 officials from France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt met in Paris to discuss the presidential vacancy and political impasse that followed.[77] The five came to be known as the "quintet".[78] On 7 June 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron named Jean-Yves Le Drian as his personal envoy for Lebanon to end the political deadlock.[79][80]

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have announced their endorsement for Suleiman Frangieh in the upcoming ballots. In parallel, an initiative led by independent MP Ghassan Skaff culminated in talks between opposition parties, taking advantage of the growing rift between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah and the warming of Syrian-Gulf diplomatic relations. With the support of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, it was announced in late May 2023 that the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb, the FPM and the PSP had agreed to endorse the candidacy of IMF economist and former Minister of Finance Jihad Azour for the role of president.[81][82]

Twelfth session

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The twelfth session to elect a president was held on 14 June 2023.[83] No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held after only 81 MPs remained in the room. However, Nabih Berri's choice of not conducting a second round was controversial since there had been a greater consensus between the MPs unlike the sessions before. It was also argued by numerous MPs that the round should have been cancelled or ballots recounted since the votes cast did not match the MPs present in the session.[84] In that round, economist Jihad Azour received 60 votes, 51 votes for Suleiman Frangieh, 6 votes for former Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud, 1 vote for military general Joseph Aoun and 1 blank vote. 8 MPs voted "New Lebanon" while 1 ballot for controversial businessman and contractor Jihad Al Arab was cancelled as he is a Sunni Muslim. Finally, 1 ballot was counted as lost,[84] before being counted to Jihad Azour.[85]

First Round[86]
Candidate Party Votes %
Jihad Azour Ind. 60 46.09
Suleiman Franjieh Jr. Marada 51 39.84
Ziyad Baroud Ind. 7 5.47
Joseph Aoun Ind. 1 0.78
Valid votes 118 92.19
Blank votes 1 0.78
Invalid votes 9 7.03
Total 128 100
Eligible voters/turnout 128 100

Development

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In July 2023, Naharnet reported that Qatar and the United States supported Aoun.[87] In an interview Aoun said, "I don't care about [his candidacy], it doesn't concern me, no one has discussed it with me and I haven't discussed it with anyone".[88]

Nabih Berri and Hezbollah nominated Georges Khoury, former ambassador to the Holy See, as a secondary option to Suleiman Frangieh. This was also reportedly proposed by Qatari mediation officials and even Najib Mikati.[89] Leaders of the main opposition Christian Blocs, Samir Geagea and Sami Gemayel, reacted with refusal to negotiate with Hezbollah unless they let go of their primary candidate Frangieh.[90] Nabih Berri called at the start of September 2024 for renewed Presidential elections.[91]

Announcements of candidacy

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On 12 December, Frem officially declared his presidential candidacy; he proposed various reforms, and to implement the Taif agreement and UN Resolution 1701.[92] On the same day, Geagea said he was prepared to stand given sufficient support.[93]

Aoun endorsements

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On 18 December, the Democratic Gathering bloc, led by the Progressive Socialist Party, which previously supported Azour, announced that it would support Aoun.[94] Former PSP leader Walid Jumblat reportedly tried to convince Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and his bloc to support Aoun.[48] On 7 January, Jumblat restated the PSP's support for Aoun.[95] Jumblat said that the a president should be selected in the first round of voting, before Trump's accession to office.

On 6 and 8 January, Frem and other "centrist" MPs, some of whom were formerly members of the FPM, said they would support Aoun if a consensus were reached on his election.[96] Frem said he would continue his campaign if Aoun were not elected.[97] The National Moderation bloc[98] and Frangieh (who withdrew)[99] also said they would support Aoun. On the same day, Berri's Amal said it would support Aoun if there were a majority in his favour.[100] Ayoub Hamid, a member of Amal, said that "in principle" Amal and Hezbollah had a common position.[101] Hezbollah had earlier said it would not veto Aoun's election.[102]

On 7 January, Geagea said that Hezbollah was the main obstacle to Aoun's election, and that if they were to propose him, the Lebanese Forces would seriously consider his candidacy.[103] On 8 January, An-Nahar reported that the Lebanese Forces appeared likely to support Aoun following a meeting between Aoun and Geagea.[101] According to the same report, the Kataeb party and numerous independents associated with the 17 October Revolution were also likely to support Aoun. On 9 January, opposition groups including the Kataeb party, the Renewal bloc, and the Lebanese Forces issued a joint statement in support of Aoun.[104]

Hezbollah and allies; international pressure

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After the fall of the Assad regime, rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani stated that Syria would no longer intervene in Lebanese affairs as Assad had, and would support Aoun if elected.[105] On 16 December, Frangieh appeared to indicate his effective withdrawal; he admitted that his chances of success had weakened, which L'Orient–Le Jour interpreted as an allusion to the fall of Assad, and said he was open to any other appropriate candidate.[106]

On 24 December 2024, five Sunni allies of Hezbollah indicated they would not support Frangieh and said they would support a compromise candidate of their own choosing.[107]

On 5 January, Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah's liaison unit, said "we have already said we have no veto", and that "our only veto is against...Geagea", whose election would lead to "discord and destruction"; he also confirmed that Hezbollah would not veto Aoun.[108] A spokesman for the Lebanese Forces denounced the remarks and called for Safa's arrest and prosecution.[109]

On 20 December, L'Orient–Le Jour reported that after Jumblat's announcement of his support for Aoun, the FPM opposed his candidacy, and intended to publicly reject in the name of "Christian rights".[110] On 31 December, Bassil, asked to choose between Aoun, Frangieh, and Geagea, said Geagea commanded popular support.[102]

Saudi Arabia had openly supported Aoun's candidacy in a meeting with Berri, who responded that there was no consensus in his favour. Amos Hochstein visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar to confirm the unified support of the quintet for Aoun, before unambiguously indicating so, and visiting Berri at his headquarters in Ain el Tineh. Bassil also met Berri, and suggested Azour, the opposition's previous candidate, on the basis that nobody could oppose him; Berri proposed instead to wait to determine the level and direction of American pressure. Negotiators were also discussing whether the election of Aoun could be linked to guarantees to Iran, including freedom of movement for Hezbollah officials, a guarantee of its political influence, and the diminishing of military pressure on Iran.[111][112]

According to a further report, members of the quintet including Saudi, American, and French envoys threatened that Lebanon would not receive any aid or attention unless Aoun were elected; Hezbollah, Amal, and the FPM sought to agree an alternative consensus candidate, but failed to do so.[113]

Thirteenth session

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Following a ceasefire with Israel, Berri announced that parliament would convene to elect a president on 9 January 2025.[114] This was the first session after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria; both events influenced the political situation in Lebanon.[115] Before the vote begun, his election was heavily criticized by some opposition members who argued that Lebanese constitution bars a sitting army commander from being elected president, though the ban has been waived multiple times, which prompted some MPs to cast protest votes.[116]

In the first round, Joseph Aoun received 71 votes and jurist Chibli Mallat received two votes (reportedly from Melhem Khalaf and Osama Saad). Eighteen votes were invalid, including 14 MPs who cast a protest ballot for "Sovereignty and the Constitution" and 1 MP who voted for United States Senator Bernie Sanders (who is not eligible because he is neither a Lebanese citizen nor a Maronite Christian).[117] 37 other MPs voted blank. Berri adjourned the session for two hours before the second round; in the first round 86 votes are needed to win, but in later rounds only 65.[118] Hezbollah and Amal voted for Aoun in the second round. Aoun ended up winning with 99 votes.[119]

First round[118] Second round[119]
Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Joseph Aoun Independent 71 97.26% Joseph Aoun Independent 99 98.01%
Chibli Mallat Independent 2 2.74% Chibli Mallat Independent 2 1.99%
Valid votes 73 57.03% Valid votes 101 78.91%
Blank votes 37 28.9% Blank votes 9 7.03%
Invalid votes 18 14.06% Invalid votes 18 14.06%
Total 128 100% Total 128 100%
Eligible voters/turnout 128 100% Eligible voters/turnout 128 100%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Aoun is an officer in the Lebanese Armed Forces.
  2. ^ Aoun's term expired on 31 October 2022. Between November 2022 and January 2025 the Cabinet collectively exercised the duties of the President with the office remaining vacant.

References

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  1. ^ Radhi, Stéphanie (4 January 2022). "Le Liban en 2022 : des défis récurrents et une vacance présidentielle en vue?" [Lebanon in 2022: recurrent challenges, and a presidential vacancy in sight?]. Anadolu Ajansı (in French).
  2. ^ Golden, Lisa (29 November 2024). "Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, respected army chief". Al-Monitor. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  3. ^ Farhat, Beatrice (28 November 2024). "Lebanon to hold January presidential elections amid fragile ceasefire". Al-Monitor.
  4. ^ "Michel Aoun elected president of Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 31 October 2016.
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  7. ^ Perosinio, Livia (12 December 2019). "L'insurrection au Liban : révolution, unité et crise économique" [Insurrection in Lebanon: revolution, unity, and economic crisis]. Le Vent Se Lève (in French).
  8. ^ Chulov, Martin (29 October 2019). "Lebanon's PM Saad Hariri resigns as protesters come under attack". The Guardian.
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  13. ^ a b "Les Libanais ne décolèrent pas" [The Lebanese aren't giving up]. Le Temps (in French). 13 June 2020. ISSN 1423-3967. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
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  17. ^ Cookman, Liz (11 August 2020). "Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab to submit resignation following Beirut blast". The National. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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  19. ^ Chehayeb, Kareem (19 May 2022). "After elections in Lebanon, does political change stand a chance?". Al Jazeera.
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  22. ^ Bob, Yonah Jeremy; Laznik, Jacob (17 September 2024). "Pager detonations wound thousands, majority Hezbollah members, in suspected cyberattack". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Hezbollah fires on Israel after several members killed in shelling". Al Jazeera. Al-Jazeera. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Hezbollah bombards Israeli positions in disputed area along border with Syria's Golan Heights". AP News. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
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  29. ^ "Lebanese National Pact". Encyclopaedia Britannica. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
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