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	{{~~short~~ description\|President of Lebanon since 2025}}		{{Short description\|President of Lebanon since 2025}}
			{{pp-protected\|small=yes}}
		⚫	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2025}}
	{{Otherpeople}}		{{Otherpeople}}
⚫	{{~~Update~~\|date=January 2025}}
	{{Infobox officeholder		{{Infobox officeholder
	\| honorific-prefix = ]		\| honorific-prefix = ]
	\| name = Joseph Aoun		\| name = Joseph Aoun
	\| native_name = جوزيف عون		\| native_name = {{nobold\|{{lang\|ar\|جوزيف عون}}}}
	\| image = ~~File:Gen.~~ ~~Joseph~~ K. ~~Aoun~~ ~~Participates~~ ~~in a Wreath-Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier~~ (cropped).jpg		\| image = Nikos Christodoulides meets with Joseph Aoun (cropped).jpg
	\| caption = Aoun in ~~2018~~		\| caption = Aoun in 2025
	\| order = 14th		\| order = 14th
	\| office = President of Lebanon		\| office = President of Lebanon
	\| primeminister = Najib Mikati		\| primeminister = ]
	\| term_start = 9 January 2025		\| term_start = 9 January 2025
	\| term_end =		\| term_end =
	\| predecessor = ] ~~(acting)~~		\| predecessor = ]
	\| successor =		\| successor =
	\| order1 = 14th		\| order1 = 14th
	\| office1 = Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces		\| office1 = Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
	\| president1 = {{ubl\|~~]\|Najib Mikati (acting)~~\|''Himself''}}		\| president1 = {{ubl\|Michel Aoun\|''Himself''}}
	\| term_start1 = 8 March 2017		\| term_start1 = 8 March 2017
	\| term_end1 =		\| term_end1 =
	\| predecessor1 = ]		\| predecessor1 = ]
	\| successor1 =		\| successor1 =
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	\| party =		\| party =
	\| spouse = Nehmat Nehmeh		\| spouse = Nehmat Nehmeh
	\| ~~alma_mater~~ = ] (])<br/>]		\| children = 2
			\| education = ] (])<br/>]
	\| allegiance = {{flag\|Lebanon}}		\| allegiance = {{flag\|Lebanon}}
	\| branch = ]		\| branch = ]
			\| branch_label = Branch
	\| serviceyears = 1983–present		\| serviceyears = 1983–present
			\| serviceyears_label = Service years
	\| rank = ] ]		\| rank = ] ]
	\|battles = ]		\| battles = ]<br>]
			\| battles_label = Wars
	}}		}}
			'''Joseph Khalil Aoun''' ({{IPAc-en\|aʊ\|n}}; {{langx\|ar\|جوزيف خليل عون}}; born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese politician and ] who has been serving as the 14th ] since 9 January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=9 January 2025 \|title=جوزيف عون هو رئيس لبنان التاسع منذ 9 يناير 2025 \|url=https://shufunews.com/%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B9-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B0-9-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7/ \|access-date=9 January 2025 \|website=Shufu News \|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=9 January 2025 \|title=جوزاف عون: انتخاب قائد الجيش اللبناني رئيساً للجمهورية بعد نيله ثلثي أصوات المجلس النيابي \|url=https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/c0474yx6n41o \|access-date=9 January 2025 \|website=BBC News عربي \|language=ar}}</ref> He has also served as the 14th ] of the ] since 2017.

		⚫	==Early life and education==
	'''Joseph Khalil Aoun''' ({{langx\|ar\|جوزيف خليل عون}}, born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese ] serving as the 14th ] since 9 January 2025. He has also served as the 14th ] of the ] since 2017.
		⚫	Aoun was born on 10 January 1964, in the Beirut suburb of ] in the ], the child of Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=A memorial service held to honor Mrs. Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta, the mother of the LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/memorial-service-held-honor-mrs-hoda-ibrahim-makhlouta-mother-laf-commander-general-joseph \|access-date=10 January 2024 \|website=الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|date=10 January 2024 \|language=en}}</ref> He completed secondary school at the ]. His family is originally from the town of ], Southern Lebanon.

		⚫	Aoun enrolled at the ] to pursue a bachelor's degree in ] and ], which he earned in 2007. He also holds a bachelor's degree in ] from the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Joseph Aoun \|url=https://en.majalla.com/node/72551 \|access-date=3 March 2024 \|website=en.majalla.com \|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=العلي \|first=محمد داود \|title=الرئاسة اللبنانية على صفيح ساخن.. جوزيف عون "مرشح الضرورة" \|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/longform/2024/12/16/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%81 \|access-date=23 December 2024 \|website=الجزيرة نت \|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=From Academia to Army, an Interview with General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://magazine.lau.edu.lb/20-3/from-academia-to-army-an-interview-with-general-joseph-aoun.php \|access-date=8 January 2024 \|website=magazine.lau.edu.lb \|language=en}}</ref>
⚫	== Early life and education==
⚫	Aoun was born on ~~January~~ 10, 1964 in the Beirut suburb of ] in the ], the child of Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=A memorial service held to honor Mrs. Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta, the mother of the LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/memorial-service-held-honor-mrs-hoda-ibrahim-makhlouta-mother-laf-commander-general-joseph \|access-date=~~2024-01-~~10 \|website=الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|language=en}}</ref> ~~Aoun~~ completed secondary school at the ]. His family is originally from the town of ], Southern Lebanon.

			==Military career==
⚫	He enrolled at the ] to pursue a bachelor's degree in ] and ], which he earned in 2007. ~~Aoun~~ also holds a bachelor's degree in ] from the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Joseph Aoun \|url=https://en.majalla.com/node/72551 \|access-date=2024~~-03-03~~ \|website=en.majalla.com \|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=العلي \|first=محمد داود \|title=الرئاسة اللبنانية على صفيح ساخن.. جوزيف عون "مرشح الضرورة" \|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/longform/2024/12/16/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%81 \|access-date=2024~~-12-23~~ \|website=الجزيرة نت \|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=From Academia to Army, an Interview with General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://magazine.lau.edu.lb/20-3/from-academia-to-army-an-interview-with-general-joseph-aoun.php \|access-date=2024~~-01-08~~ \|website=magazine.lau.edu.lb \|language=en}}</ref>
		⚫	Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He trained abroad, especially in the ] and ]. He also underwent ] training in the ] in 2008 and ] in 2013. He has headed the army's ] since 2015.

	== ~~Personal~~ ~~life~~ ==		=== Lebanese Civil War ===
		⚫	In 1990, Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of the Lebanese Army's ] (Arabic: فوج المغاوير, The Commando Regiment) under leader Bassam Gergi at the Adma barracks. During the Adma Battle in the Civil War's ] ], Gergi was killed and Aoun took over leadership within the Maghaweer group.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=25 September 2017\| title=والد أحد الضباط الشهداء: وصول العماد جوزيف عون لقيادة الجيش يعني وصول ولدي \|url=https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1138617/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1:-%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A\|website=elnashra\|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=3 March 2016 \|title=هذا انا جورج نادر.. معركة ادما والمغوار الذي يموت واقفاً ولا ينحني − الحلقة الرابعة عشر \|url=https://www.lebanondebate.com/news/241556 \|website=lebanondebate \|language=ar}}</ref>

		⚫	=== Commander of Lebanese Armed Forces ===
⚫	~~Joseph~~ Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Commanders\|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/joseph-aoun\|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=29 November 2024 \|title=Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission \|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241129-lebanon-s-army-chief-joseph-aoun-a-man-with-a-tough-mission \|access-date=29 November 2024 \|website=France 24 \|language=en}}</ref> Contrary to popular belief, he is unrelated to his predecessor as ] and fellow ], ].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012 \|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/11/lebanons-army-chief-joseph-aoun-man-tough-mission \|access-date=2024-12-07 \|website=www.al-monitor.com \|language=en}}</ref>
		⚫	In 2015, Aoun was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade deployed on the border with Israel. On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed him ] of the ] (LAF), replacing ].<ref></ref>

		⚫	Aoun led battles against the ] campaign in eastern Lebanon, where hundreds of Islamic State and ] militants were entrenched on the border with Syria.<ref name=":0" /> On 19 August 2017, he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was a successful offensive to expel the militants from their strongholds.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=19 August 2017 \|title=Operation 'Jroud Dawn': Lebanon begins assault on Islamic State \|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/operation-jroud-dawn-lebanon-begins-assault-on-islamic-state-20170819-gxzw9i.html \|access-date=3 March 2024 \|website=The Sydney Morning Herald \|language=en}}</ref>
	==Career==
⚫	Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He trained abroad, especially in the ] and ]. He also underwent ] training in the ] in 2008 and ] in 2013. He has headed the army's ] since 2015.

		⚫	Following protests in Lebanon and the political deadlock, General Aoun spoke out on 8 March 2021 criticising the ] and its impact on the military. His speech went ] on social media.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=ماذا قال قائد الجيش اللبناني بشأن الوضع السياسي في البلاد؟ \|url=https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/1420308-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%94%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A1-%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%84%D9%87 \|access-date=10 March 2021 \|website=سكاي نيوز عربية \|language=ar}}</ref>
	=== Lebanese Civil war ===
⚫	In 1990, ~~Joseph~~ Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of ] leader Bassam Gergi at the Adma barracks. During the Adma Battle in the ], Gergi was killed and Aoun took over leadership within the ~~Maghawir~~ group.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=~~2017-09-~~25\| title=والد أحد الضباط الشهداء: وصول العماد جوزيف عون لقيادة الجيش يعني وصول ولدي \|url=https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1138617/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1:-%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A\|website=elnashra\|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|date=2016~~-03-03~~\| title= هذا انا جورج نادر.. معركة ادما والمغوار الذي يموت واقفاً ولا ينحني - الحلقة الرابعة عشر
	\|url=https://www.lebanondebate.com/news/241556\|website=lebanondebate\|language=ar}}</ref>

		⚫	On 15 December 2023, the ] voted to extend Aoun's term for one year which was mainly endorsed by the Lebanese Opposition, the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Prentis \|first=Jamie \|date=15 December 2023 \|title=Lebanese Parliament votes to extend army chief's term by a year \|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/2023/12/15/lebanese-parliament-votes-to-extend-army-chiefs-term-by-a-year/ \|access-date=11 June 2024 \|website=The National \|language=en}}</ref> During this time, he led the LAF through the ]. On 28 November 2024, parliament voted to extend his term a second time.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=28 November 2024 \|title=Lebanon's parliament renews army chief's term in first session after ceasefire \|url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-parliament-ceasefire-army-cfd5be1498918a0a67b7c7b587023061 \|access-date=29 November 2024 \|website=Associated Press \|language=en}}</ref>
⚫	=== Commander of ~~the~~ ~~LAF~~ ===
⚫	~~Aoun’s role began to rise in~~ 2015 ~~when he~~ was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade deployed on the border with Israel. On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed ~~Joseph Aoun~~ ] of the ], replacing ].<ref></ref>

			== Political career ==
⚫	Aoun led battles against the ~~ISIS~~ campaign in eastern Lebanon ~~yet~~, where hundreds of ~~militants~~ ~~from~~ ~~the~~ ] ~~and the ] (ISIS)~~ were entrenched ~~in barren areas~~ on the border with Syria.<ref name=":0" /> ~~In August~~ 19, 2017 he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was a successful offensive to expel the ~~Islamist~~ militants from their strongholds.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=~~2017-08-~~19 \|title=Operation 'Jroud Dawn': Lebanon begins assault on Islamic State \|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/operation-jroud-dawn-lebanon-begins-assault-on-islamic-state-20170819-gxzw9i.html \|access-date=2024~~-03-03~~ \|website=The Sydney Morning Herald \|language=en}}</ref>
			] in February 2024]]

		⚫	Aoun's possible presidential candidacy was first raised by ] leader ] in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2 February 2023 \|title=Lebanon army chief emerges as potential candidate for president \|url=https://arab.news/zrwtm \|access-date=26 September 2023 \|website=Arab News \|language=en}}</ref> Qatar declared support for his candidacy during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid; the United States followed with support.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=10 July 2023 \|title=Report: Qatar calls for meeting of five-nation group on Thursday \|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/298857 \|access-date=26 September 2023 \|website=Naharnet}}</ref>
⚫	Following ~~the~~ protests in Lebanon and ~~with~~ the deadlock ~~of the formation of the government~~, General Aoun ~~made~~ ~~a speech~~ on March 8, 2021 ~~concerning~~ the ~~local and regional situation. Aoun focused on~~ ] and its impact on the military ~~staff and addressed the political class: "Where are we going? What are you waiting for? What do you plan to do? We have warned more than once of the danger of the situation~~." His speech went viral on social media.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=ماذا قال قائد الجيش اللبناني بشأن الوضع السياسي في البلاد؟ \|url=https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/1420308-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%94%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A1-%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%84%D9%87 \|access-date=~~2021-03-~~10 \|website=سكاي نيوز عربية \|language=ar}}</ref>

			In December 2022, a five-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the ], ], ], and ] to hold talks and resolve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon in which most countries affirmed its support for Aoun's election.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=16 December 2022 \|title=Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun seen as a president-in-waiting after Doha visit. \|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/lebanese-army-commander-joseph-aoun-seen-as-a-president-in-waiting-after-doha-visit-1.92718448 \|access-date=12 June 2023 \|website=Gulf News \|language=en}}</ref> ] was the first to officially announce that the ], that he leads, would elect him.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=31 December 2024 \|title=Présidentielle : Pour Bassil, Geagea est celui qui « bénéficie de la légitimité populaire » \|trans-title=Presidential election: for Bassil, Geagea is the one who 'has popular support' \|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1441728/presidentielle-pour-bassil-geagea-est-celui-qui-beneficie-de-la-legitimite-populaire-.html \|work=] \|language=French}}</ref> On 9 January, opposition groups including the ], the ], and the ] issued a joint statement in support of Aoun.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Abi Akl \|first=Yara \|date=9 January 2025 \|title=Tout le monde devant le fait accompli : le soutien à Joseph Aoun presque unanime \|trans-title=Everyone presented with a fait accompli: almost unanimous support for Joseph Aoun \|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1442700/tout-le-monde-devant-le-fait-accompli-le-soutien-a-joseph-aoun-presque-unanime.html \|work=] \|language=French}}</ref>
⚫	On December ~~15,~~ 2023, the ] voted to extend Aoun's term for one year which was mainly endorsed by the Lebanese Opposition, the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Prentis \|first=Jamie \|date=~~2023-12-~~15 \|title=Lebanese Parliament votes to extend army chief's term by a year \|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/2023/12/15/lebanese-parliament-votes-to-extend-army-chiefs-term-by-a-year/ \|access-date=~~2024-06-~~11 \|website=The National \|language=en}}</ref> During this time, he led the LAF through the ]. On November ~~28,~~ 2024, parliament voted to extend his term a second time.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=~~2024-11-~~28 \|title=~~Lebanon’s~~ parliament renews army ~~chief’s~~ term in first session after ceasefire \|url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-parliament-ceasefire-army-cfd5be1498918a0a67b7c7b587023061 \|access-date=~~2024-11-~~29 \|website=Associated Press \|language=en}}</ref>

			== Presidency (2025–present) ==
	=== Presidential candidacy ===
			On 9 January 2025, Aoun was elected president in the second round of the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=9 January 2025 \|title=Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun elected president \|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/01/09/lebanon-parliament-meets-to-elect-president- \|access-date=9 January 2025 \|website=Al Arabiya \|language=en}}</ref> In his inaugural address, he vowed to fight the mafias, drug trafficking, interference in the justice system, corruption, poverty, and ]. He also stated that he would promote economic, political, and judicial reform.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=9 January 2025 \|title=Joseph Aoun, elected president, wants Lebanese state to invest in its army to protect its borders, combat smuggling, terrorism, Israeli aggression {{!}} Our live coverage of the parliamentary session \|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1442714/after-more-than-2-years-of-vacancy-will-a-president-be-elected-in-lebanon-our-live-coverage-of-the-parliamentary-session.html \|access-date=9 January 2025 \|website=L'Orient Today \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=انتخاب جوزيف عون رئيسا للبنان \|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/1/9/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86 \|access-date=10 January 2025 \|website=الجزيرة نت \|language=ar}}</ref> In addition to that, he declared: "The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the ]".<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Qiblawi \|first1=Tamara \|title=US-backed army chief elected Lebanon's president, ending years-long stalemate \|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/09/middleeast/joseph-aoun-elected-lebanon-president-intl/index.html \|access-date=10 January 2025 \|work=CNN \|date=9 January 2025}}</ref> However, his election was heavily criticized by some opposition members who argued that Lebanese constitution bars a sitting army commander from being elected president, though the ban has been waived multiple times, which prompted some MPs to place a ].<ref name=":1" />
⚫	Aoun's possible candidacy was first raised by Lebanese Forces leader ] in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023~~-02-02~~ \|title=Lebanon army chief emerges as potential candidate for president \|url=https://arab.news/zrwtm \|access-date=~~2023-09-~~26 \|website=Arab News \|language=en}}</ref> Qatar declared support for his candidacy during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid, the United States ~~also~~ followed with support.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=~~July~~ 10, 2023 \|title=Report: Qatar calls for meeting of five-nation group on Thursday \|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/298857 \|access-date=~~2023-09-~~26 ~~\|website=Naharnet}}</ref>~~ A 5-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the ], ], ], and ] to hold talks and solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon in which most countries affirmed its support for the election of Joseph Aoun.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun seen as a president-in-waiting after Doha visit. \|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/lebanese-army-commander-joseph-aoun-seen-as-a-president-in-waiting-after-doha-visit-1.92718448 \|access-date=2023~~-06-12~~ \|website=~~Gulf News \|language=en~~}}</ref>

			== Personal life ==
		⚫	Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Commanders\|date=7 March 2017 \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/joseph-aoun\|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=29 November 2024 \|title=Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission \|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241129-lebanon-s-army-chief-joseph-aoun-a-man-with-a-tough-mission \|access-date=29 November 2024 \|website=France 24 \|language=en}}</ref>

			He is not related to ], his predecessor as both ] and ], although both are ]. Under the ], the President and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces are always selected from the Maronite community.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission \|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/11/lebanons-army-chief-joseph-aoun-man-tough-mission \|access-date=7 December 2024 \|website=Al-Monitor \|language=en}}</ref>

			], a former ] and current president of the nonprofit organization American Task Force on Lebanon, described Aoun as a humble and deeply religious man and a leader "who inspires loyalty by his hard work."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news \|last=Sewell \|first=Abby \|date=10 January 2025 \|title=Who is Joseph Aoun, a low-profile army chief who is now Lebanon's president? \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/10/joseph-aoun-lebanon-president-profile/1dfd9cd6-cf6a-11ef-be73-ad8966084721_story.html \|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

	== Honors ==		== Honors ==
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	\|]		\|]
	\|War Medal		\|War Medal
	\|3-time recipient		\|Three-time recipient
	\| rowspan="10" \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Joseph Aoun {{!}} الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/joseph-aoun \|access-date=2024~~-03-03~~ \|website=www.lebarmy.gov.lb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Foreword of LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/foreword-laf-commander-general-joseph-aoun \|access-date=2024~~-03-03~~ \|website=الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|language=en}}</ref>		\| rowspan="10" \|<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Joseph Aoun {{!}} الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/joseph-aoun \|access-date=3 March 2024 \|website=www.lebarmy.gov.lb\|date=7 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Foreword of LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun \|url=https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/foreword-laf-commander-general-joseph-aoun \|access-date=3 March 2024 \|website=الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني \|date=22 November 2018 \|language=en}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\|]		\|]
	\|Medal of the Wounded		\|Medal of the Wounded
	\|2-time recipient		\|Two-time recipient
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|]		\|]
	\|Military Valour Medal, Silver		\|Military Valour Medal, Silver

⚫	\|
	\|-
	\|]
	\|], third class
	\|
	\|-
	\|]
	\|], second class
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|]		\|]
	\|]~~, second class~~		\|Member 1st Class of the ]
			\|Promoted from 2nd Class, and before that from 3rd Class
	\|
	\|-
	\|]
	\|Knight of the ]
	\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|]		\|]
	\|Officer of the ]		\|Officer of the ]
			\|Previously decorated as Knight of the Order
	\|
	\|}		\|}

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	{{s-bef\|before=]}}		{{s-bef\|before=]}}
	{{s-ttl\|title=] of the ]\|years=2017–present}}		{{s-ttl\|title=] of the ]\|years=2017–present}}
			{{s-inc}}
		⚫	\|-
			{{s-off}}
			{{s-bef\|before=]}}
			{{s-ttl\|title=]\|years=2025–incumbent}}
	{{s-inc}}		{{s-inc}}
	{{s-end}}		{{s-end}}

	{{Commanders of the Lebanese Armed Forces}}		{{Presidents of Lebanon}}{{Leaders of Arab League member states}}{{Commanders of the Lebanese Armed Forces}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Aoun, Joseph}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Aoun, Joseph}}
			]
	]		]
	]		]
			]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]

			]
	{{Lebanon-mil-bio-stub}}
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 08:50, 11 January 2025

President of Lebanon since 2025

For other people named Joseph Aoun, see Joseph Aoun (disambiguation).

His ExcellencyJoseph Aoun
جوزيف عون
Aoun in 2025

14th President of Lebanon
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 January 2025
Prime Minister	Najib Mikati
Preceded by	Michel Aoun
14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 March 2017
President	Michel Aoun Himself
Preceded by	Jean Kahwaji

Personal details
Born	(1964-01-10) 10 January 1964 (age 61) Sin el Fil, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Spouse	Nehmat Nehmeh
Children	2
Education	Lebanese American University (BA) Lebanese Army Military Acad.
Military service
Allegiance	Lebanon
Branch	Lebanese Army
Service years	1983–present
Rank	General
Wars	Lebanese Civil War Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon

Joseph Khalil Aoun (/aʊn/; Arabic: جوزيف خليل عون; born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese politician and general who has been serving as the 14th president of Lebanon since 9 January 2025. He has also served as the 14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.

Early life and education

Aoun was born on 10 January 1964, in the Beirut suburb of Sin el-Fil in the Metn District, the child of Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun. He completed secondary school at the Collège des Frères Mont La Salle. His family is originally from the town of Al-Aaishiyah, Southern Lebanon.

Aoun enrolled at the Lebanese American University to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs, which he earned in 2007. He also holds a bachelor's degree in military science from the Lebanese Army Military Academy.

Military career

Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He trained abroad, especially in the United States and Syria. He also underwent counter-terrorism training in the United States in 2008 and Lebanon in 2013. He has headed the army's 9th Infantry Brigade since 2015.

Lebanese Civil War

In 1990, Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of the Lebanese Army's Fawj al-Maghaweer (Arabic: فوج المغاوير, The Commando Regiment) under leader Bassam Gergi at the Adma barracks. During the Adma Battle in the Civil War's Liberation War's Elimination War, Gergi was killed and Aoun took over leadership within the Maghaweer group.

Commander of Lebanese Armed Forces

In 2015, Aoun was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade deployed on the border with Israel. On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed him commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), replacing Jean Kahwaji.

Aoun led battles against the Islamic State campaign in eastern Lebanon, where hundreds of Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front militants were entrenched on the border with Syria. On 19 August 2017, he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was a successful offensive to expel the militants from their strongholds.

Following protests in Lebanon and the political deadlock, General Aoun spoke out on 8 March 2021 criticising the Lebanese liquidity crisis and its impact on the military. His speech went viral on social media.

On 15 December 2023, the Lebanese parliament voted to extend Aoun's term for one year which was mainly endorsed by the Lebanese Opposition, the Amal Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party. During this time, he led the LAF through the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. On 28 November 2024, parliament voted to extend his term a second time.

Political career

Aoun's possible presidential candidacy was first raised by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to Michel Aoun. Qatar declared support for his candidacy during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid; the United States followed with support.

In December 2022, a five-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to hold talks and resolve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon in which most countries affirmed its support for Aoun's election. Walid Jumblatt was the first to officially announce that the Democratic Gathering bloc, that he leads, would elect him. On 9 January, opposition groups including the Kataeb party, the Renewal Bloc, and the Lebanese Forces issued a joint statement in support of Aoun.

Presidency (2025–present)

On 9 January 2025, Aoun was elected president in the second round of the electoral session. In his inaugural address, he vowed to fight the mafias, drug trafficking, interference in the justice system, corruption, poverty, and sectarianism. He also stated that he would promote economic, political, and judicial reform. In addition to that, he declared: "The Lebanese state – I repeat the Lebanese state – will get rid of the Israeli occupation". However, his election was heavily criticized by some opposition members who argued that Lebanese constitution bars a sitting army commander from being elected president, though the ban has been waived multiple times, which prompted some MPs to place a protest vote.

Personal life

Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.

He is not related to Michel Aoun, his predecessor as both President of Lebanon and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, although both are Lebanese Maronite Christians. Under the National Pact, the President and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces are always selected from the Maronite community.

Edward M. Gabriel, a former Ambassador of the United States to Morocco and current president of the nonprofit organization American Task Force on Lebanon, described Aoun as a humble and deeply religious man and a leader "who inspires loyalty by his hard work."

Honors


Ribbon	Description	Notes	Ref.
	War Medal	Three-time recipient
	Medal of the Wounded	Two-time recipient
	Medal of National Unity
	Medal of the "Dawn of the South"
	Military Valour Medal, Silver
	Member 1st Class of the Order of Merit	Promoted from 2nd Class, and before that from 3rd Class
	Officer of the National Order of the Cedar	Previously decorated as Knight of the Order

References

"جوزيف عون هو رئيس لبنان التاسع منذ 9 يناير 2025". Shufu News (in Arabic). 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
"جوزاف عون: انتخاب قائد الجيش اللبناني رئيساً للجمهورية بعد نيله ثلثي أصوات المجلس النيابي". BBC News عربي (in Arabic). 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
"A memorial service held to honor Mrs. Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta, the mother of the LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun". الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
"Joseph Aoun". en.majalla.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
^ العلي, محمد داود. "الرئاسة اللبنانية على صفيح ساخن.. جوزيف عون "مرشح الضرورة"". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 23 December 2024.
"From Academia to Army, an Interview with General Joseph Aoun". magazine.lau.edu.lb. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
"والد أحد الضباط الشهداء: وصول العماد جوزيف عون لقيادة الجيش يعني وصول ولدي". elnashra (in Arabic). 25 September 2017.
"هذا انا جورج نادر.. معركة ادما والمغوار الذي يموت واقفاً ولا ينحني − الحلقة الرابعة عشر". lebanondebate (in Arabic). 3 March 2016.
Joseph Aoun | Official Website of the Lebanese Army
"Operation 'Jroud Dawn': Lebanon begins assault on Islamic State". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
"ماذا قال قائد الجيش اللبناني بشأن الوضع السياسي في البلاد؟". سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Retrieved 10 March 2021.
Prentis, Jamie (15 December 2023). "Lebanese Parliament votes to extend army chief's term by a year". The National. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
"Lebanon's parliament renews army chief's term in first session after ceasefire". Associated Press. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
"Lebanon army chief emerges as potential candidate for president". Arab News. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
"Report: Qatar calls for meeting of five-nation group on Thursday". Naharnet. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
"Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun seen as a president-in-waiting after Doha visit". Gulf News. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
"Présidentielle : Pour Bassil, Geagea est celui qui « bénéficie de la légitimité populaire »" [Presidential election: for Bassil, Geagea is the one who 'has popular support']. L'Orient–Le Jour (in French). 31 December 2024.
Abi Akl, Yara (9 January 2025). "Tout le monde devant le fait accompli : le soutien à Joseph Aoun presque unanime" [Everyone presented with a fait accompli: almost unanimous support for Joseph Aoun]. L'Orient–Le Jour (in French).
"Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun elected president". Al Arabiya. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
"Joseph Aoun, elected president, wants Lebanese state to invest in its army to protect its borders, combat smuggling, terrorism, Israeli aggression | Our live coverage of the parliamentary session". L'Orient Today. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
"انتخاب جوزيف عون رئيسا للبنان". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 10 January 2025.
Qiblawi, Tamara (9 January 2025). "US-backed army chief elected Lebanon's president, ending years-long stalemate". CNN. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
^ Sewell, Abby (10 January 2025). "Who is Joseph Aoun, a low-profile army chief who is now Lebanon's president?". Washington Post.
"Commanders". 7 March 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
"Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission". France 24. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
"Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun, a man with a tough mission". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
"Joseph Aoun | الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني". www.lebarmy.gov.lb. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
"Foreword of LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun". الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

Military offices
Preceded byJean Kahwaji	Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces 2017–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded byMichel Aoun	President of Lebanon 2025–incumbent	Incumbent

v t e Presidents of Lebanon (list)
French Mandate (1918–1943)	Charles Debbas Privat-Antoine Aubouard* Habib Pacha Es-Saad Émile Eddé Pierre-Georges Arlabosse* Alfred Naqqache Ayoub Tabet* Petro Trad
Lebanese Republic (since 1943)	Bechara El Khoury Émile Eddé Bechara El Khoury Fuad Chehab* Camille Chamoun Fuad Chehab Charles Helou Suleiman Frangieh Élias Sarkis Bachir Gemayel Amine Gemayel Michel Aoun* Selim Hoss* René Moawad Selim Hoss* Elias Hrawi Émile Lahoud Michel Suleiman Michel Aoun Joseph Aoun
* Acting

v t e Leaders of Arab League member states
Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune Nadir Larbaoui Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Salman Comoros Azali Assoumani Djibouti Ismaïl Omar Guelleh Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Moustafa Madbouly Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani Jordan Abdullah II Jafar Hassan Kuwait Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Lebanon Joseph Aoun Najib Mikati Libya Mohamed al-Menfi Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani Mokhtar Ould Djay Morocco Mohammed VI Aziz Akhannouch Oman Haitham bin Tariq Palestine Mahmoud Abbas Mohammad Shtayyeh Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani Saudi Arabia Salman Mohammed bin Salman Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hamza Abdi Barre Sudan Transitional Sovereignty Council* Osman Hussein* Syria Mohammed al-Bashir Tunisia Kais Saied Kamel Madouri United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Yemen Rashad al-Alimi* Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak

v t e Commanders of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Fuad Chehab (1945–58) Toufic Salem (1958–59) Adel Shehab (1959–65) Emile Boustany (1965–70) Jean Njeim (1970–71) Iskandar Ghanem (1971–75) Hanna Saïd (1975–77) Victor Khoury (1977–82) Ibrahim Tannous (1982–84) Michel Aoun (1984–89) Émile Lahoud (1989–98) Michel Suleiman (1998–2008) Jean Kahwaji (2008–17) Joseph Aoun (2017–)

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