End of Two and a Half Years of Political Crisis in Lebanon; Michel Aoun Becomes President

On Monday, November 1, the Lebanese Parliament elected Michel Aoun, a prominent Christian politician, as the President of the country. The division among major political groups in Lebanon had left the country without a president for the past two and a half years. However, after the Future Movement, led by Saad Hariri, which holds the majority in the Lebanese Parliament, eventually supported Michel Aoun's presidency, the path to the presidency was cleared for him. According to an old tradition in Lebanon, the President must be Christian, the Prime Minister Sunni, and the Speaker of the Parliament Shia. Although Michel Aoun is an 81-year-old Christian, he is referred to in the Lebanese political landscape as an ally of Hezbollah. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which supports Hezbollah, has welcomed Mr. Aoun's presidency. Some reports indicate that Saad Hariri is expected to be re-elected as Prime Minister of Lebanon in exchange for supporting Michel Aoun's presidency. Mr. Hariri leads the bloc opposing Hezbollah and Syria in Lebanon. 83 out of 127 representatives present at the session voted in favor of Michel Aoun's presidency. The Lebanese Parliament has 128 members. Michel Aoun is a veteran Lebanese politician who was active as a military commander during the Lebanese civil wars and fought against the occupation of his country by Syria. In this context, the United States and Saudi Arabia sanctioned five individuals and entities financially supporting Hezbollah.