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President of Lebanon since 2025 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Khalil Aoun (/aʊn/; Arabic: جوزيف خليل عون; born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese politician and general who has been serving as the 14th president of Lebanon since 9 January 2025.[1][2] He has also served as the 14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.
Joseph Aoun | |
|---|---|
| جوزيف عون | |
.jpg) Aoun in 2025 | |
| 14th President of Lebanon | |
| Assumed office 9 January 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Najib Mikati |
| Preceded by | Michel Aoun |
| 14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces | |
| Assumed office 8 March 2017 | |
| President |
|
| Preceded by | Jean Kahwaji |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 January 1964 Sin el Fil, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon |
| Spouse | Nehmat Nehmeh |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Lebanese American University (BA) Lebanese Army Military Acad. |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Lebanon |
| Branch | Lebanese Army |
| Service years | 1983–present |
| Rank |  General |
| Wars | Lebanese Civil War Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon |
Aoun was born on 10 January 1964, in the Beirut suburb of Sin el-Fil in the Metn District, the child of Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun.[3] He completed secondary school at the Collège des Frères Mont La Salle. His family is originally from the town of Al-Aaishiyah, Southern Lebanon.
Aoun enrolled at the Lebanese American University to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs, which he earned in 2007. He also holds a bachelor's degree in military science from the Lebanese Army Military Academy.[4][5][6]
Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He trained abroad, especially in the United States and Syria. He also underwent counter-terrorism training in the United States in 2008 and Lebanon in 2013. He has headed the army's 9th Infantry Brigade since 2015.
In 1990, Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of the Lebanese Army's Fawj al-Maghaweer (Arabic: فوج المغاوير, The Commando Regiment) under leader Bassam Gergi at the Adma barracks. During the Adma Battle in the Civil War's Liberation War's Elimination War, Gergi was killed and Aoun took over leadership within the Maghaweer group.[7][8]
In 2015, Aoun was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade deployed on the border with Israel. On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed him commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), replacing Jean Kahwaji.[9]
Aoun led battles against the Islamic State campaign in eastern Lebanon, where hundreds of Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front militants were entrenched on the border with Syria.[5] On 19 August 2017, he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was a successful offensive to expel the militants from their strongholds.[10]
Following protests in Lebanon and the political deadlock, General Aoun spoke out on 8 March 2021 criticising the Lebanese liquidity crisis and its impact on the military. His speech went viral on social media.[11]
On 15 December 2023, the Lebanese parliament voted to extend Aoun's term for one year which was mainly endorsed by the Lebanese Opposition, the Amal Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party.[12] During this time, he led the LAF through the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. On 28 November 2024, parliament voted to extend his term a second time.[13]
Aoun's possible presidential candidacy was first raised by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to Michel Aoun.[14] Qatar declared support for his candidacy during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid; the United States followed with support.[15]
In December 2022, a five-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to hold talks and resolve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon in which most countries affirmed its support for Aoun's election.[16] Walid Jumblatt was the first to officially announce that the Democratic Gathering bloc, that he leads, would elect him.[17] On 9 January, opposition groups including the Kataeb party, the Renewal Bloc, and the Lebanese Forces issued a joint statement in support of Aoun.[18]
On 9 January 2025, Aoun was elected president in the second round of the electoral session.[19] In his inaugural address, he vowed to fight the mafias, drug trafficking, interference in the justice system, corruption, poverty, and sectarianism. He also stated that he would promote economic, political, and judicial reform.[20][21] In addition to that, he declared: "The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the Israeli occupation".[22] However, his election was heavily criticized by some opposition members who argued that Lebanese constitution bars a sitting army commander from being elected president, though the ban has been waived multiple times, which prompted some MPs to place a protest vote.[23]
Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.[24][25]
He is not related to Michel Aoun, his predecessor as both President of Lebanon and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, although both are Lebanese Maronite Christians. Under the National Pact, the President and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces are always selected from the Maronite community.[26]
Edward M. Gabriel, a former Ambassador of the United States to Morocco and current president of the nonprofit organization American Task Force on Lebanon, described Aoun as a humble and deeply religious man and a leader "who inspires loyalty by his hard work."[23]
| Ribbon | Description | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
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War Medal | Three-time recipient | [27][28] |
.jpg){kind=small} |
Medal of the Wounded | Two-time recipient | |
| Medal of National Unity | |||
 |
Medal of the "Dawn of the South" | ||
 |
Military Valour Medal, Silver | ||
 |
Member 1st Class of the Order of Merit | Promoted from 2nd Class, and before that from 3rd Class | |
 |
Officer of the National Order of the Cedar | Previously decorated as Knight of the Order |
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