Beirut, Lebanon CNN —Lebanon’s parliament has elected the US-backed army chief to be the country’s new president, ending a years-long political stalemate and presidential vacuum. After he was declared president, Aoun effectively stepped down as army chief. “The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the Israeli occupation,” Aoun said his speech. Lebanon had been without a president since the end of the tenure of former President Michel Aoun – who is not related to Joseph Aoun – in October 2022. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (right) shakes hands with Aoun after he was elected as president on Thursday.

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Persons: Lebanon CNN —, Joseph Aoun, Aoun, Bashar al, Assad, ” Aoun, Israel –, Israel, “, ”, Michel Aoun –, Joseph Aoun –, Nabih Berri, Mohamed Azakir, Mohammad Raad Organizations: Lebanon CNN, Army, Hezbollah, CNN, UN, Western, Reuters, Aoun, Maronite Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United States, Washington, Riyadh, Iran, Israel, Lebanese, Aoun