INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Lebanon&& 's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has
United States assistance and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its terrible war with Israel.In a speech to
the chamber, Aoun, 60, vowed to work to ensure the state has the special right to bring arms, drawing loud applause as legislators from
Hezbollah —-- which runs its own military forces —-- sat still, Reuters reported.He promised to reconstruct south Lebanon and other
parts of the country he stated had actually been ruined by Israel, and also to avoid Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which was stuck in deep
economic and political crises even before the latest conflict
&& Today, a new phase in the history of Lebanon begins,& & he said.His election showed shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the
wider Middle East, with Shi&& ite Muslim Hezbollah badly pounded from in 2015&& 's war, and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in
December.It likewise indicated a revival of Saudi impact in a country where Riyadh&& 's role was eclipsed by Iran and Hezbollah long
ago.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar congratulated Lebanon, stating on X he hoped Aoun&& 's election would contribute towards stability
and great neighbourly relations.United States ambassador Lisa Johnson, participating in the session, informed Reuters she was && really
delighted & with Aoun & 's election.The presidency, booked for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon&& 's sectarian power-sharing system, has
actually been uninhabited given that Michel Aoun&& 's term ended in October 2022, with deeply divided factions not able to settle on a
prospect able to win enough votes in the 128-seat parliament.Joseph Aoun fell short of the 86 votes needed in a preliminary vote, however
crossed the limit with 99 votes in a 2nd round, after legislators from Hezbollah and its Shi&& ite ally the Amal Movement backed
him.Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad said that by delaying their elect Aoun, the group had && sent a message that we are the guardians of
Momentum constructed behind Aoun on Wednesday as Hezbollah&& 's long preferred prospect, Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew and stated assistance
for the army leader, and as French and Saudi envoys shuttled around Beirut, prompting his election in meetings with political leaders, 3
Lebanese political sources said.A source near the Saudi royal court said French, Saudi, and United States envoys had informed Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, that worldwide financial support &-- consisting of from Saudi Arabia &-- hinged on Aoun&& 's
& There is a very clear message from the international neighborhood that they are ready to support Lebanon, but that needs a president, a
federal government,& & Michel Mouawad, a Christian legislator opposed to Hezbollah who chose Aoun, informed Reuters.&& We did get a
message from Saudi of assistance,& & he added.The Saudi king and crown prince congratulated Aoun.FRANCE URGES FORMATION OF STRONG
GOVERNMENTHis election is an initial step towards restoring federal government institutions in a nation which has actually had neither a
president nor a fully empowered cabinet because Aoun left office.Lebanon, its economy still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019,
remains in alarming requirement of help to rebuild from the war, which the World Bank approximates cost the nation $8.5 billion.Much of the
damage remains in majority Shi&& ite locations where Hezbollah draws assistance
Hezbollah has actually prompted Arab and global support for Lebanon.Lebanon&& 's system of federal government now requires Aoun to convene
assessments with lawmakers to choose a Sunni Muslim prime minister to form a new cabinet, a process that can frequently be protracted as
factions barter over ministerial portfolios.France said the election opened a new page for Lebanon.&& This election needs to now be
followed by the visit of a strong federal government& & efficient in & carrying out the reforms required for Lebanon&& 's financial
healing, stability, security and sovereignty,& & French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.Lebanon&& 's global bonds, which
have actually remained in default because 2020, rallied after Aoun&& 's success was announced.Aoun has actually played an essential role in
supporting a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel which was brokered by Washington and Paris in November
The terms require the Lebanese army to release into south Lebanon as Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah withdraw forces.Opponents of his
candidateship said his election was the outcome of foreign pressure
Lawmaker Gebran Bassil, leader of one of the most significant Christian factions, told the session that lots of legislators had gotten &&
However Melhem Riachi, a Christian lawmaker who elected Aoun, said the election marked completion of the previous era with && an Iranian
& This is the era of Lebanon&& 's consistency with the international neighborhood,& & he said.The post Lebanon&& 's army chief chosen
president, revealing weakened Hezbollah initially appeared on Ariana News.
