Hezbollah’s ‘Political Defeat’: Lebanese Army Chief Elected President

Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army chief and rival of Hezbollah, was elected president on Thursday.

Lebanon hasn’t had a president for over two years because of political infighting between pro-Hezbollah and anti-Hezbollah groups. This deadlock had stopped 12 attempts to elect a president.

But Hezbollah’s recent military defeat to Israel and the ouster of Syria’s Bashar Assad has caused it to lose popularity. Had Iran and its proxies not been weakened, Lebanon would likely still be looking for a president.

• The Hezbollah-endorsed candidate dropped out of the race the day before the election.
• This is the first time since 1990 that a Lebanese president has been elected without Iran’s backing.

Reform coming? Many are applauding this election, saying it marks a major political shift in Lebanon.

• Hilal Khashan, professor of political science at the American University of Beirut, said this election marked Hezbollah’s “political defeat.”
• Lina Khatib, member of Britain’s Chatham House think tank, said, “Hezbollah’s acceptance of Aoun’s election underlines that it no longer dictates the political agenda. … The significant shift in the political status quo … is the direct result of the larger geopolitical changes in the Middle East in which Iran’s influence in the region is ending.”

In his inauguration speech, Aoun pledged a state monopoly on bearing arms, signaling an intent to disarm Hezbollah. He also promised closer ties to Arab nations and “a policy of positive neutrality.”

Only a president hailing from the Army can disarm Hezbollah, especially after Israel destroyed more than 80 percent of its military hardware. … Hezbollah has no option but to transform itself into a political party without a military component.
—Hilal Khashan

Prophesied change: The Bible prophesied that Iran would lose its grip over Lebanon and that Lebanon would align with Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Aoun’s election “paves the way for reform and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty and prosperity.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said this was a chance for “reforms and change,” adding that “Germany stands by the side of the people of Lebanon on the way forward.”

Aoun’s election victory shows Iran’s presence in Lebanon is weakening, as prophesied.

Learn more: Read “The Fall and Rise of Lebanon.”