Lebanon finally has a new president.Lawmakers have thrown their support behind Michel Aoun, a strong Hezbollah ally,to fill the country's long-vacant presidency.
The parliament convened at noon (1000 GMT) Monday for the voting sessionin its46th attemptto elect a head of state.
Aoun was elected after four rounds of voting during the session.
He secured the presidency by winning the support of 83 out of 127 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win.
The 81-year-old Christian leader has won the support of two of his greatest rivals: Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, and ex-prime minister, Saad Hariri.
Earlier on October 20, Hariri, the leader Lebanons March 14 Alliance and a close ally of Saudi Arabia, voiced support for Aoun, raising hopes for the settlement of a long-running deadlock on Lebanons political stage.
He described his surprise endorsement of Aoun as necessary to protect Lebanon, protect the (political) system, protect the state and protect the Lebanese people.
Observers view Aouns rise to power as a political victory for Hezbollah, which will greatly diminish the Saudi influence in Lebanons political arena. The kingdom has been vigorously lobbying to prevent Lebanons presidency from beingplaced in the hands of Hezbollahs allies.
Following Hariris announcement, Thamer al-Sabhan, the new Saudi minister for Persian Gulf affairs, paid a visit to Beirut for talks on the political developments in Lebanon and the region.
Sabhan used to serve as the Saudi ambassador to Iraq until recently, but Baghdad asked Riyadh to replace him after the diplomat failed to heed Iraqs warnings for his interference in the countrys domestic affairs.
According to some Lebanese political sources,Hariri is expected to beappointed as prime minister for the second time.
Analysts say Aoun and Hariri, 46, face a formidable task to win the cross-party support needed to make a new administration a success.
Aoun, the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement, already hadthe endorsement of Hezbollah.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"]
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah (R) receives founder of the Free Patriotic Movement and presidential hopeful Michel Aoun in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 2016. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]Last week, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called upon all Lebanese political parties to join forces and put a favorable end to the 30-month presidential void in the Arab country.
Nasrallah, who was speaking during a meeting with Aoun, stressed the need for concerted efforts in order to direct the upcoming presidential vote in Lebanon toward a good conclusion.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since 2014, when the term of President Michel Suleiman expired.
The Lebanese parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a president due to the lack of quorum.
Under Lebanons power-sharing system, the president must be a Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim.
Hezbollah has accused Saudi Arabia of thwarting political initiatives and blocking the election of a president in Lebanon.
Late last year, Haririlaunched an initiative to nominate Suleiman Tony Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement.
His proposal, however, failed amid reservations on the part of Lebanons main Christian parties as well as Hezbollah.
By Press TV
