Lebanon's parliament voted on Thursday to elect the country's army commander, Joseph Aoun, as the new president.

The election took place during the 13th session of parliamentary discussions, which extended into the afternoon after lawmakers failed to elect a president in the morning session.

Joseph Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament, surpassing the simple majority required in the second round of voting. Lebanon had been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.

The parliamentary discussions continued until the afternoon, culminating in the election of Joseph Aoun as the head of state. The election marks a significant step for Lebanon, which has faced a prolonged period without a president.

Following his election, President-elect Joseph Aoun delivered a speech before Lebanese lawmakers, addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the nation. (ILKHA)