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.
Read more: Lebanese parliament holds session to elect new president
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
Read more: Heated exchange erupts in Lebanese Parliament
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.