BEIRUT, (TDI): Newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has pledged to rebuild areas destroyed by Israeli aggression and restore stability to the country.
“I promise to reconstruct what Israel destroyed in the south and Beirut’s southern suburbs,” Aoun declared during his oath-taking speech before Parliament on Thursday.
The president emphasized Lebanon’s resolve to end the Israeli occupation and address the effects of its aggression.
He also reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to return and pledged to strengthen relations with Arab nations while collaborating with Syria to secure shared borders.
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Lebanon had been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022. Joseph Aoun secured the presidency with 99 out of 128 parliamentary votes, surpassing the two-thirds majority required.
Challenges Ahead
The new president faces daunting challenges, including overseeing the fragile truce along the Israeli border, rebuilding war-damaged neighborhoods in the south, east, and Beirut, and addressing Lebanon’s severe economic crisis.
Since 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with its worst financial downturn, compounded by the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, which has caused over $5 billion in economic losses and extensive structural damage, according to the World Bank.
Global Reactions
The international community welcomed Aoun’s election, expressing hopes for stability and recovery in Lebanon:
United States: The US Embassy congratulated Aoun and pledged support, saying, “We are committed to working closely with President Aoun as he begins efforts to unite the country, implement reforms, and secure a prosperous future for Lebanon.”
France: France hailed the election as a “new chapter” for Lebanon, calling for the formation of a strong government to address the ongoing political and economic crisis.
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Iran: Iran’s embassy in Beirut expressed optimism for close cooperation, stating, “We look forward to working together… in ways that serve the common interests of our countries.”
Qatar: Qatar welcomed Aoun’s election, emphasizing the need for stability. “We hope his election will contribute to establishing security and stability in Lebanon,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
Aoun’s presidency brings renewed hope to a nation struggling to overcome political deadlock, economic collapse, and the aftermath of conflict.
