The U.S. reportedly wants to take advantage of Hezbollah’s weakened state after recent Israeli airstrikes to help elect a new Lebanese president. Lebanon has been without a president for almost two years, which has only made its political and economic crisis worse.
In late September, Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, along with several top commanders, leaving the group at its weakest in years. U.S. officials said the Biden administration now sees an opportunity to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and back Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, for the presidency.
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Lebanon’s presidency has been vacant since October 2022 when Michel Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah, finished his term. The U.S., along with France and several Arab nations, tried to mediate the election, but Hezbollah consistently blocked any effort to elect a candidate who wasn’t aligned with them.
Lebanon’s acting prime minister is calling for a president who represents all Lebanese citizens, and is not aligned with any faction over others.
The U.S. said electing a new president is more urgent than brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. U.S. officials are now focused on breaking the deadlock, with plans to address border tensions and appoint a new prime minister once a president is in place.
