Joseph Aoun

Joseph Aoun is a Lebanese military officer and politician who has served as president of Lebanon since 9 January 2025.

Joseph Aoun is a Lebanese military officer and politician who has served as president of Lebanon since 9 January 2025. He was commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces from 2017 until his election, which ended a more than two-year presidential vacancy. Aoun is a Maronite Christian and was elected by Lebanon’s parliament with 99 of 128 votes in the second round.

Early life and education

Joseph Aoun was born on 10 January 1964 in Sin el Fil, Lebanon. He joined the army in 1983 during the Lebanese Civil War and later studied military and security-related subjects as part of his career development.

Military career

Aoun became commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces in 2017 and remained in that post until his presidential election in 2025. Coverage of his career notes that he rose through the army over several decades and was seen as a pragmatic and discreet commander.

Presidency

Lebanon’s parliament elected Aoun president on 9 January 2025, after repeated failures to choose a head of state since 2022. His election was widely framed as a response to the political vacuum and the security and diplomatic pressures facing Lebanon.

Political context

Aoun’s rise to the presidency came after the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah and amid efforts to secure international support for Lebanon. Reporting at the time said his candidacy had backing from major domestic and foreign actors, including the United States and Saudi Arabia.