president

New Leadership for a New President?

At the heart of psychoanalytic theory on power lies the central issue of narcissism. Leaders who feel intrinsically inadequate or inferior often seek to overcompensate by exerting excessive control over their surroundings. This compulsive need for dominance can push them to overstep their authority, elevating themselves above common laws. To ...

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun is the 14th President of Lebanon

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun was elected on Thursday as the 14th president of Lebanon in a second round of the voting, ending more than two years of vacuum in the top post. Aoun obtained 99 votes of the 128-member unicameral parliament, against 9 blank votes, two votes for Chibli Mallat and 18 invalid ballots. The second round of the voting ...

Who is Lebanon's Long-Awaited 14th President Joseph Aoun?

When considering the implementation of a ceasefire—fragile at best—a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, the second-largest non-nuclear explosion in history, an unprecedented economic collapse, an unparalleled political paralysis, an attack by ISIS on Lebanese soil, all compounded by Lebanon's deeply rooted sectarian tensions, one ...

The Lebanese Diaspora in Canada Spells Out Its Vision for the Aspired President

The Lebanese-Canadian Coordinating Committee (CCLC) has presented its “vision for the Lebanese president,” as a session to elect a new head of state is scheduled for Thursday. “We need a president who puts the well-being of the nation above his personal interests (...) who unites all Lebanese (...) who ensures respect for the Taif Agreement ...

Al-Rai Urges Election of Unifying Lebanese President

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai called on Lebanese MPs to elect a president who commands the trust of the Lebanese people and the support of international allies. During the Epiphany celebration on Monday, Patriarch al-Rai delivered his sermon and emphasized the need for a leader to meet the country’s challenges and promote unity and peaceful ...

In Pursuit of a President Defying the Detrimental Mini-State

The Iranian mullahs' camp and their local allies have adopted excessive tactics of intimidation, threats and coercive politics. They revel in flaunting their defiance, entrenched in denial, loudly proclaiming that the "resistance" remains intact, "strong" and poised for a swift revival. While listening to their rhetoric and observing the arrogance ...

Electing a President vs. Agreeing on One!

In the forthcoming session, Lebanon does not need to elect a president but rather to agree on one. This distinction is significant and critical, especially given the current circumstances. Electing a president could have been achieved before former President Michel Aoun left office, during successive and uninterrupted parliamentary sessions that ...

Rai Cautions Against Postponing Presidential Election

In a sermon given on the International Day of Peace on Wednesday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai called for vigilance, pointing out that “the presidential election scheduled for January 9 must take place.” He warned against postponing the session, indicating that such a maneuver would risk compromising the confidence of the Lebanese and the ...

Intersecting Factors Obstruct Presidential Election Again: From Ceasefire to Iran’s Plan

Although the Lebanese presidential election is – or should be – a purely internal matter, observers of the issue agree that it has become organically linked to changes in the region. These include everything from Israel’s war on Hezbollah and its repercussions to the peaceful coup in Syria. While it is true that Iran – through its arm in ...

Ongoing Negotiations Ahead of the January 9 Presidential Election

As of today, it appears unlikely that the parliamentary session scheduled for January 9 will result in the election of a new president. However, the days leading up to this session are expected to see intense political activity, with hopes remaining high for a breakthrough—whether through consensus or by securing the necessary 65 votes. Many ...

Rai Stresses the Importance of Upholding the Lebanese Constitution

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai emphasized on Wednesday the importance of the Lebanese Constitution, calling it “the backbone of Lebanon” and cautioning that “any deviation from its provisions contributes to the country’s paralysis.” Patriarch Rai welcomed to Bkerke a delegation from the Saydet al-Jabal Gathering, led by former MP Fares ...