General Michel Aoun Elected Lebanon’s President

BEIRUT-Lebanese Parliament members on Monday elected MP General Michel Aoun President of Lebanon, ending a two and a half year-power vacuum, according to al-Manar website.

The head of Free Patriotic Movement was elected in a second round during a Parliamentary session. In the first round, a quorum of two-thirds majority of the 128-parliament was not secured. Aoun won 84 votes, while there were 36 white ballots and 7 others.

 A second round took place at the Parliament, where Aoun secured 83 votes, and there were 36 white ballots and 8 others. 83 votes were enough to secure a 50 percent plus one quorum in the second round.

In addition to Lebanese MPs and ministers, the election session was attended by diplomats and dignitaries from across the world.

Following his election, the session attendees erupted into applause, welcoming the new president.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since former President Michel Sleiman’s term ended in May 2014, without an agreement on a replacement.

Aoun has been a running candidate from the beginning, backed by Hezbollah, who repeatedly reiterated that the 81-year-old veteran Christian leader is qualified for such post.

H.M