General Joseph Aoun assumed the presidency of Lebanon today, Thursday, becoming the 14th president since independence in 1943, succeeding President Michel Aoun. His presidency marks the beginning of a new phase after a long period of presidential vacancy.

Joseph Aoun was elected president after the Lebanese parliament failed to elect a president in the first session, where he received 71 votes, with 20 invalid ballots and 37 blank ballots.

In the second round, he secured 99 votes, with 8 blank ballots and 18 invalid ones. It is worth noting that electing a president in Lebanon requires a two-thirds majority (86 votes) in the first round, while a simple majority (more than 50%) is sufficient in subsequent rounds.

Lebanese presidencies have seen many changes, with Bashara al-Khuri becoming the first president after independence (1943-1952), followed by Camille Chamoun, whose presidency ended with the 1958 revolution.

Then came Fouad Chehab, who established the modern state between 1958 and 1964, followed by several presidents, including Charles Helou and Suleiman Frangieh.