Lebanon’s parliament has elected the country’s army chief as president, ending a power vacuum that has lasted more than two years.
The country’s lawmakers elected army chief joseph aoun today in a step towards lifting the war-battered country out of financial crisis.
Aoun’s candidacy was backed by several political parties, as well as the us, france and saudi Arabia.
A rival preferred by Hezbollah, the powerful Shia Muslim militia and political party supported by Iran, withdrew on Wednesday and endorsed the commander.
While speaking to the parliament after the election, Aoun pledged his commitment to serve the country.
The election took place six weeks after lebanon’s government agreed a ceasefire to end a devastating war between israel and hezbollah, which significantly weakened the iran-backed shia muslim group.
