Lebanese Parliament Elects Michel Aoun as President, Celebrations Govern Scene
Local Editor
Lebanon finally has a new president. Lawmakers threw their support behind Michel Aoun, a strong Hizbullah ally, to fill the country's long-vacant presidency.
The parliament convened at noon Monday for the voting session in its 46th attempt to elect a head of state.
Aoun was elected after four rounds of voting during the session.
The 81-year-old Christian leader has won the support of two of his greatest rivals: Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, and ex-prime minister, Saad Hariri.
Immediately after the results were announced, celebrations were in areas across Lebanon after elected Aoun.
Main highlights of President Aoun's lifetime:
1933: Born in the municipality of Haret Hreik, a southern suburb of Beirut.
1955: Graduates from College Des Frères Secondary School in Furn al-Shubbak.
1958: Graduates from Military Academy with the rank of first lieutenant specializing in artillery divisions.
1984: Promoted to the rank of general, and appointed Army commander
Sept. 22, 1988: Parliament failed to elect a successor. Outgoing President Amine Gemayel dismissed the government and appointed a six-member interim military government headed by Aoun.
August 1991: Is exiled to France after spending months taking shelter at the French Embassy in Beirut.
May 7, 2005: Returns to Lebanon a few weeks after Syrian withdrawal.
Feb. 5, 2006: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in the Mar Mikhael Church in Chiyah. Aoun joins March 8 coalition.
July 2006: Supports Hizbullah in the July "Israeli" war on Lebanon.
2008: FPM joins Cabinet for the first time, represented by three ministers.
May 2008: Takes part in Doha Accords which result in election of Michel Sleiman as president.
May 2009: FPM wins 27 seats in Parliament, participates in new Cabinet with five ministers.
Dec. 10, 2009: Visits Syrian President Bashar Assad for the first time.
January 2011: Aoun topples Hariri Cabinet along with March 8 allies.
2011: Aoun voices support for Syrian regime following uprising.
January 2014: Aoun holds talks with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri but to no result.
May 2014: Michel Sleiman's term ends. Aoun announces candidacy.
January 2016: Aoun and Geagea convene in historic reconciliation dubbed Maarab Agreement. Geagea nominates Aoun for presidency.
September 2016: Hariri's Chief of Staff Nader Hariri and FPM President Gebran Bassil reach an understanding to nominate Aoun.
Oct. 20, 2016: Hariri formally endorses Aoun for the presidency.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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