LEBANON SET TO ELECT PRESIDENT AFTER TWO-YEAR VACANCY

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Lebanese lawmakers are set to elect a president on Thursday, ending more than two years of political deadlock, a crucial move to help resolve the country’s financial crisis.

Army Chief Joseph Aoun is considered the leading candidate, with experts suggesting he could be the one to manage the swift deployment of the army to enforce a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

The small, conflict-stricken nation has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.

Numerous prior attempts to elect a president have failed due to a stalemate in parliament between pro-Hezbollah and anti-Hezbollah factions.

A full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah last autumn inflicted severe damage on the Shiite militant group, including the loss of its long-standing leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

In neighboring Syria, Hezbollah lost a key ally when rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad last month.

With a tenuous ceasefire in effect in southern Lebanon since late November, the 13th attempt to elect a new president begins at 11:00 am (0900 GMT).

In a country still haunted by the 1975-1990 civil war, Lebanon’s divided political elite typically reaches a consensus on a candidate before any parliamentary vote can succeed.

International pressure has intensified ahead of the session, with French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian being invited to attend the vote.

US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Beirut earlier this week, urging Lebanese lawmakers to ensure the success of the election.

A Saudi envoy also returned to Lebanon on Wednesday for the second time in two weeks.

Lawmakers who met with the Saudi and US envoys indicated that both countries strongly supported Joseph Aoun.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, expressed optimism on Wednesday.

“For the first time since the presidency became vacant, I am pleased that God willing tomorrow we will have a president,” he said.