TRANSCRIPT
After more than two years and a dozen failed attempts, Lebanon, finally, has a President.
"The honourable representatives have honoured me by electing me President of the Lebanese Republic, which is the greatest medal I bear, and the greatest responsibility.”
The head of Lebanon’s armed forces, Joseph Aoun, was the preferred candidate of the United States, France and Saudi Arabia.
Diplomats from all three nations had been working behind the scenes to take advantage of Hezbollah’s weakness - and break the logjam in the Lebanese parliament.
Hezbollah lawmakers listened as the new President appeared to refer to the group’s diminished military arsenal.
"My pledge is to exercise my role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, that I work through them to ensure that the right to carry arms is exclusive to the state."
Mr Aoun pledged to deter any further Israeli attacks and promised to rebuild Southern Lebanon where some IDF troops remain.
The ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah says they must leave by January 26.
Israel’s foreign minister congratulated the new Lebanese President saying he hopes the choice will contribute towards stability… and to ‘good neighbourly relations.’
"I congratulate Lebanon upon the election of a new President, following a lengthy political crisis. I hope that this choice will contribute towards stability, a better future for Lebanon and its people and to good neighbourly relations."
For the Lebanese people, exhausted after years of economic crisis, the Beirut Port explosion and Israel’s military campaign, there is hope things might change for the better.
MAN 1: “God willing, he will be up to the people’s expectations, for the war to end, and he fixes the situation in the country.”
MAN 2: "We hope that (it is) a sign of a good start, because honestly as young people, we were planning to emigrate. We are left with no place in this country, to be honest."
A Maronite Christian, Mr Aoun must now work with lawmakers to nominate a Sunni Muslim prime minister, as required by Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system.
That may also be a lengthy process.
But for the first time in a long time, there are signs a functioning government in Lebanon is possible.
