Joseph Aoun (Credit: Reuters)
Who is Joseph Aoun? Front-runner for Lebanon's presidency
The Lebanese opposition announced on Wednesday evening their consensus on electing Army Commander General Joseph Aoun as President, a move that could help resolve the presidential vacuum that has persisted for over two years.
With the Shiite duo, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, withdrawing support for Suleiman Frangieh, Aoun emerged as a unifying candidate, gaining increasing agreement among opposition factions.
- Who is Joseph Aoun? -
- Full Name: Joseph Khalil Aoun
- Date of Birth: January 10, 1964
- Place of Birth: Sin El-Fil in the Matn District of Lebanon
- Origins: Hails from the southern town of Al-Aaishiyah, Southern Lebanon
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Political Science.
- Bachelor's degree in Military Science.
- Fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Military career:
- Joined the Lebanese Army in 1983 as a volunteer.
- Completed several prominent training courses, including:
- Officers' Course (1986)
- Diving Course (1987)
- Military Officer Course (1996)
- Battalion Commander Course (2002)
- Staff Course (2012)
- Workshop on Intelligence and Counterterrorism (2013)
International training:
- Completed two Infantry Courses in the US (1988, 1995)
- Participated in an International Counterterrorism Program (2008-2009)
- Paratrooper Course in Syria (1996)
- Battalion Commander Course in Syria (2002-2003)
Military promotions:
Gradually advanced through the ranks:
- Second Lieutenant (1985)
- First Lieutenant (1988)
- Captain (1993)
- Major (1998)
- Lieutenant Colonel (2003)
- Colonel (2007)
- Brigadier General (2013)
- Appointed Army Commander on March 8, 2017
Current position:
Serves as the 14th commander of the Lebanese Army since 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji.
Awards and honors:
- War Medal (3-time recipient)
- Medal of the Wounded (2-time recipient)
- Medal of National Unity
- Medal of the "Dawn of the South"
- Order of Merit (various grades)
- Knight of the National Order of the Cedar
- Officer of the National Order of the Cedar
Political aspirations:
General Joseph Aoun is now viewed as a consensus candidate for the presidency of Lebanon, particularly following the end of former President Michel Aoun's term. His popularity both within the military and among the public positions him as a key figure during this critical period in Lebanon's history. With a distinguished military background and strong leadership qualities, he is seen as an ideal candidate to lead the nation forward.
