US and Saudi-backed Joseph Aoun, tasked with upholding ceasefire ending fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, promises state monopoly on arms, 'new phase' for beat up country

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has U.S. support and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel.

Lebanon’s parliament chose the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.