Michel Aoun, a former military chief and ally of the Hezbollah group, is set to become Lebanon’s new president after receiving an endorsement from rival and former prime minister, Saad Hariri. Thursday’s endorsement paves the way for the 81-year-old Maronite Christian leader to fill the post that has been vacant since May 2014, Al Jazeera reported. “I announce today before you my decision to endorse the candidacy of General Michel Aoun for the presidency of the republic,” Hariri said. He described his decision as necessary to “protect Lebanon, protect the [political] system, protect the state and protect the Lebanese people”. For two years and five months, the Lebanese Parliament has been unable to agree on a successor to former president, Michel Sleiman. Lebanon’s 128-member parliament is now expected to convene next week for a session to vote on the president-the 46th such session since Sleiman’s term expired in May 2014. Lebanon’s president is reserved for a Christian candidate under a power-sharing agreement.
