Joseph Aoun (general)

Joseph Khalil Aoun (Arabic: جوزاف خليل عون) is a Lebanese Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.

Joseph Aoun
جوزاف عون
Aoun in 2018
14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Assumed office
8 March 2017
PresidentMichel Aoun
Preceded byJean Kahwaji
Personal details
Born (1964-01-10) 10 January 1964
Sin el Fil, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Alma materLebanese Army Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance Lebanon
Branch/serviceLebanese Army
Years of service1983–present
RankGeneral

Career

Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He trained abroad, especially in the United States and Syria. He also underwent counter-terrorism training in the United States in 2008 and Lebanon in 2013. He has headed the army's 9th Infantry Brigade since 2015.

On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed Joseph Aoun commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, replacing Jean Kahwaji.[1]

Following the protests in Lebanon and with the deadlock of the formation of the government, General Aoun made a speech on March 8, 2021 concerning the local and regional situation. Aoun focused on the economic crisis and its impact on the military staff and addressed the political class: "Where are we going? What are you waiting for? What do you plan to do? We have warned more than once of the danger of the situation."[2] His speech went viral on social media.

Presidential candidacy

Aoun's possible candidacy was first raised by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to Michel Aoun.[3] Qatar declared support for his candidacy during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid, the United States also followed with support.[4] A 5-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, KSA, and Egypt to hold talks and solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon most countries affirmed its support for the election of Joseph Aoun. Despite this Aoun said during a meeting with a delegation from the Press Syndicate when asked about his candidacy, “I don't care about it, it doesn't concern me, no one has discussed it with me and I haven't discussed it with anyone”.[5]

Personal life

Joseph Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh and father of two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English.[6] He is unrelated to former President of Lebanon and fellow Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Michel Aoun.[7]

References
  1. Joseph Aoun | Official Website of the Lebanese Army
  2. "ماذا قال قائد الجيش اللبناني بشأن الوضع السياسي في البلاد؟". سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  3. "Lebanon army chief emerges as potential candidate for president". Arab News. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  4. "Report: Qatar calls for meeting of five-nation group on Thursday". Naharnet. July 10, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  5. "Army chief says not interested in becoming president". Naharnet. September 18, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  6. "Commanders". Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  7. "Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun seen as a president-in-waiting after Doha visit". gulfnews.com. 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
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