After more than two years without a head of state, Lebanon has elected General Joseph Aoun, the current army chief, as its new president.

The election comes after months of political impasse, with Aoun securing the presidency in a second round of voting where he garnered 99 votes, surpassing the simple majority required.

The election marks the 13th attempt by the Lebanese parliament to break the political deadlock, which stems from deeply entrenched sectarian divisions and power struggles within the country's political class.

Joseph Aoun succeeds former President Michel Aoun (no relation), who stepped down in October 2022, leaving a leadership vacuum amid Lebanon's myriad crises.

Aoun's election was initially uncertain as Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, refrained from supporting him in the first round of voting.

However, after consultations, these groups extended their backing, allowing Aoun to clinch the presidency.

Observers suggest that this move could indicate shifting political dynamics in Lebanon, where Hezbollah's once formidable influence appears to be waning following recent conflicts and regional upheavals.

Currently, Aoun oversees the fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, following a devastating war that further strained Lebanon's socio-economic fabric.

Joseph Aoun, a maronite Christian, has served in the Lebanese Armed Forces since the 1980s and ascended to the role of Commanding Officer in 2017.

His presidency is seen by some as a potential starting point for restructuring national institutions and addressing widespread corruption.

International stakeholders, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France, view Aoun's presidency as an opportunity to kickstart international aid and reconstruction efforts contingent upon political stabilization in Lebanon.

The prolonged impasse has exacerbated Lebanon's existing challenges, including economic collapse, infrastructure decay, and a severe humanitarian crisis.

The complexities of Lebanon's confessional-politics, which require the presidency to be held by a Christian, while the Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker positions are reserved for a Sunni and a Shia respectively, continue to contribute to political instability.

This sectarian quota system makes consensus-building particularly challenging, often resulting in gridlock, as evidenced by the long hiatus preceding Aoun’s election.

Amidst these circumstances, Joseph Aoun's presidency heralds new challenges and opportunities as he navigates the intricate web of Lebanese politics.

His role overseeing the military and maintaining the ceasefire with Israel will be critical aspects of his tenure.

As Lebanon embarks on this new phase, the international community watches closely, hoping for stability in a region that has known decades of turmoil.