Lebanon names Maj-Gen Ouda as acting army chief after General Aoun elected president

Defense Minister Maurice Sleem makes announcement of Ouda as acting Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

By Yusuf Alioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) – Lebanon on Thursday appointed Major General Hassan Ouda as acting army chief, succeeding General Joseph Aoun, who was elected president by parliament earlier in the day, bringing an end to a political vacuum that had existed since October 2022.

Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Sleem announced Ouda as acting Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, following Aoun's election as president, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The decision takes effect on Thursday and will remain in effect until a new army commander is officially appointed, it added.

Aoun was elected president after securing 99 votes during a second round of voting in the 128-seat parliament.

His election ended over two years of political vacuum in Lebanon since Michel Aoun left office in October 2022.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala

Kaynak: