At the beginning of 2021, the Commander of the Lebanese Army at the time and the President-elect today said, “Our country will rise again.”
Aoun said these and other phrases in front of the soldiers and stressed that they “did their duty to the fullest extent during the past year, which was difficult at various levels and for all Lebanese, and they were not immune from the difficulties they faced while committed to their duty.”
He added, “I considered you heroes at all times and you made me proud of you, and I will remain.”
Great entitlements today require greater efforts from President Joseph Aoun, and challenges that he is expected to face with firmness and vigor, as he is the one who did not allow strife to spread among the Lebanese through the Lebanese Army institution.
According to observers, despite the travails that Lebanon is experiencing, all hopes are pinned on this man today.
In light of the complex crises that Lebanon is experiencing, the name of General Joseph Aoun stands out as one of the most prominent figures that aroused the interest of the Lebanese and the international community alike.
From the military establishment to the presidency, Aoun represents a symbol of hope in rebuilding the state and restoring its sovereignty.
Growing up and military career…Who is Joseph Aoun?
Joseph Aoun was born in the Sin El Fil area, east of Beirut, in 1964 and is from the town of Aishiya in southern Lebanon.
He grew up in a humble environment characterized by national values. He joined the Lebanese Military College, where he graduated as an officer in the Lebanese Army, and then began a long military career that witnessed successive promotions as a result of his competence and discipline.
-Aoun held several leadership positions in the Lebanese Army, where he demonstrated distinguished skill in managing complex military operations, especially those related to combating terrorism and maintaining security. He was appointed Army Commander in March 2017, where he focused on strengthening the role of the military institution as a protector of national sovereignty and the unity of the country.
Outstanding achievements as army commander
During his leadership of the army, General Joseph Aoun faced major challenges, most notably:
• Combating terrorism:
The Lebanese Army led decisive battles against terrorist groups, especially in the barren lands of Ras Baalbek and Al-Qaa in 2017, where it succeeded in purging the region of ISIS.
• Protecting internal stability:
Aoun demonstrated the army’s ability to play a pivotal role in maintaining security during periods of political and social tension that Lebanon witnessed.
• Enhancing transparency in the military institution:
He worked to improve the army’s reputation by combating corruption and enhancing administrative efficiency within it.
• International cooperation:
He was keen to develop the Lebanese Army’s relations with donor countries, which contributed to securing logistical and military support that helped strengthen the army’s capabilities.
Political and reform vision
With the election of President Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun is seen as a reformist figure with deep experience in crisis management and is expected to focus on the following points:
• Restoring state sovereignty: Implementing international resolutions, especially Resolution 1701, and collecting illegal weapons.
• Institutional reform: Fighting corruption and restructuring the administrative and economic sectors.
• Strengthening international relations: Utilizing its international relations to restore confidence in Lebanon and attract economic support.
Challenges
Despite the competence that Aoun has shown throughout his career, the road ahead is not easy. The most important challenges he will face:
- Economic crisis: The deterioration of the Lebanese pound and the bank deposit crisis.
- Political balance: Managing internal contradictions between conflicting political parties.
- Rebuilding the state: Achieving radical reforms under the influence of the state, which constitutes an obstacle to national sovereignty.
Internal and international support
Analysts say that Joseph Aoun enjoys international and Arab support, as he is a neutral figure committed to building the state. This support is a crucial factor in strengthening its ability to implement reforms and restore the confidence of the Lebanese
