Lebanese Lawmakers Set to Elect New President After Prolonged Deadlock.

On Thursday, Lebanese lawmakers are poised to elect a new president, marking a significant development after more than two years of political stalemate. This election is crucial for Lebanon, which has been grappling with a severe financial crisis exacerbated by ongoing instability.

Army chief Joseph Aoun emerges as the leading candidate, with analysts suggesting that he could play a pivotal role in enforcing a truce in southern Lebanon, particularly following the recent conflicts that have impacted the region. Lebanon has remained without a president since Michel Aoun’s term expired in October 2022, and previous attempts to fill the vacancy have faltered due to a deadlock between pro- and anti-Hezbollah factions within the parliament.

The landscape has shifted considerably since last autumn, when a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in substantial losses for the militant group, including the death of its long-standing leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Additionally, Hezbollah’s support base in Syria has weakened following the recent upheaval that saw President Bashar al-Assad ousted by rebels.

With a fragile ceasefire in place since late November, lawmakers will convene for the thirteenth time to attempt to elect a new head of state, commencing at 11:00 am local time (0900 GMT). In a nation still recovering from the scars of its 1975-1990 civil war, the fragmented political elite typically reaches a consensus on a candidate before any successful parliamentary vote occurs.

International pressure has intensified ahead of this critical session, with notable figures such as French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and US envoy Amos Hochstein advocating for a successful election. A Saudi envoy’s recent visit to Lebanon further underscores the regional interest in stabilizing the political landscape, with indications that both the United States and Saudi Arabia support Joseph Aoun’s candidacy.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism about the upcoming vote, stating, “For the first time since the presidency became vacant, I am pleased that God willing tomorrow we will have a president.” As Lebanon stands at a crossroads, the outcome of this election could pave the way for much-needed reforms and recovery in a country desperately in need of stability.