On Thursday, Lebanon’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun, the country’s army chief, as president, filling the vacant office that had remained unoccupied since October 2022. His election marks a shift in Lebanon’s political landscape and reflects a diminished influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group following the impact of the recent war with Israel. Aoun, who enjoys U.S. approval, received crucial backing from Hezbollah’s Shi'ite ally, the Amal Movement, and was supported by international figures such as French and Saudi envoys.

Lebanon’s presidency, which is reserved for a Maronite Christian under the sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant for over a year, with various factions unable to agree on a candidate. Aoun’s rise came after Hezbollah’s preferred candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew in favor of Aoun. Saudi Arabia’s influence, which had been overshadowed by Hezbollah and Iran in recent years, appears to be on the rise, as international financial assistance now hinges on Aoun's election.

Aoun’s election marks an essential step towards restoring government institutions in Lebanon, which has faced severe economic hardship since the 2019 financial collapse. The country now looks to international support to rebuild, including from Saudi Arabia. Joseph Aoun, 60, has served as the commander of the Lebanese army since 2017 and has maintained strong ties with the U.S., with ongoing military aid flowing to the Lebanese army, aiming to reduce Hezbollah's influence in the region. His leadership is seen as a crucial element in stabilizing Lebanon and managing its relations with both Israel and Hezbollah.