Lebanon's army chief elected president in sign of Hezbollah's weakened sway

Lebanon's Parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Jan. 9, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has US support and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel.

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In a speech to the chamber, General Aoun, 60, vowed to work to ensure the state has the exclusive right to carry arms, drawing loud applause as lawmakers from Hezbollah - which runs its own military forces - sat still.

He promised to rebuild south Lebanon and other parts of the country he said had been destroyed by Israel, and also to prevent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which was mired in deep economic and political crises even before the latest conflict.

"Today, a new phase in the history of Lebanon begins," he said.

His election reflected shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, with Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah badly pummeled from 2024's war, and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in December.

It also indicated a revival of Saudi influence in a country where Riyadh's role was eclipsed by Iran and Hezbollah long ago.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar congratulated Lebanon, saying on social media platform X that he hoped Gen. Aoun's election would contribute towards stability and good neighborly relations.

US ambassador Lisa Johnson, attending the session, told Reuters she was "very happy" with Gen. Aoun's election.