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