The Iran-backed militia is bowed but not broken – and it could still find a way to hijack Saudi funds for its own rehabilitation

As the country endured economic crisis and a devastating war, lawmakers failed 12 times to pick a head of state. They have now settled on Joseph Aoun, the leader of the military.

Lebanon’s parliament has elected its US-backed army chief to be the country’s next president, ending a years-long political stalemate and presidential vacuum.

General Joseph Aoun was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, which funds, trains, and arms the Lebanese military and helped broker a cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah in November.

A devastating economic crisis, a political power vacuum, massive corruption and most recently the war between Hezbollah and Israel: For a long time, things were not looking good for Lebanon. But, after two years without a president,

MP Michel Daher stated that he wants a prime ministerial candidate who can work effectively with President Joseph Aoun, noting that he will nominate someone the president is comfortable collaborating with.

Lebanon has elected a new president after two years of political indecision, but not before some unexpected characters received votes — including Sen. Bernie Sanders, an American Jew.

As part of the congratulations extended to newly elected President Joseph Aoun, U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood issued a statement regarding Lebanon’s presidential elections. He described January 9 as a great day and hoped the elections would pave the way for forming a strong government committed to fighting corruption.

With the election of Lebanon's new president Joseph Aoun on Thursday (January 9), a two-year period marked by a political vacuum under a previous caretaker government has ended. "Aoun was seen as the candidate that can bring stability after much instability in Lebanon,

"To congratulate him and wish him success in these difficult circumstances, of course this is an obligation," says former Lebanese president Michel Aoun after meeting newly elected president Joseph Aoun at the presidential Palace in Baabda.

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s new president and former army commander Joseph Aoun has maintained a low profile. Those who know him say he is no-nonsense, kind and averse to affiliating himself with any party or even expressing a political opinion — a rarity for someone in Lebanon’s fractured, transactional political system.