Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun on Thursday fell short of the two-thirds majority to become president in the first round of a parliamentary vote, but could still become head of state.The Mediterranean country has been without a president since the term of Michel Aoun -- not related -- ended in October 2022,

Lebanon’s president is elected by the Lebanese Parliament, a body composed of 128 members representing the country’s religious sects. On Thursday, all the 128 members were summoned for a special sessi

Joseph Aoun’s candidacy faces constitutional challenges. As a sitting army commander, he is technically barred from becoming President, although such bans have been waived in the past. If elected, Aoun would need a two-thirds majority of the 128-member parliament, even in the second round.