Joseph Aoun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Joseph Aoun
جوزاف عون
Aoun in 2025
14th President of Lebanon
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 January 2025
Prime Minister	Najib Mikati Nawaf Salam
Preceded by	Michel Aoun (2022)
14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
In office 8 March 2017 – 9 January 2025
President	Michel Aoun
Preceded by	Jean Kahwaji
Succeeded by	Hassan Audi (acting) Rodolph Haykal
Personal details
Born	(1964-01-10) 10 January 1964 (age 61) Sin el Fil, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Spouse	Nehmat Aoun
Children	2
Education	Lebanese American University (BA) Lebanese Army Military Acad.
Military service
Allegiance	Lebanon
Branch	Lebanese Army
Service years	1983–2025
Rank	General
Wars	Lebanese Civil War Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon

Joseph Khalil Aoun (born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese politician and army general. He became the 14th president of Lebanon on 9 January 2025. Before this, he was the leader of the Lebanese Armed Forces. He is the fifth army commander to become president in Lebanon's history.

Early Life and School

Joseph Aoun was born on January 10, 1964. His birthplace was Sin el-Fil, a suburb of Beirut in Lebanon. His parents are Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun. He finished high school at the Collège des Frères Mont La Salle. His family comes from a town called Al-Aaishiyah in Southern Lebanon.

Aoun went to the Lebanese American University. There, he studied political science and international affairs, earning a degree in 2007. He also has a degree in military science from the Lebanese Army Military Academy.

Family Life

Joseph Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, named Khalil and Nour. He can speak Arabic, French, and English very well. He is not related to Michel Aoun, who was president before him. Both Joseph and Michel Aoun are part of Lebanon's Maronite Christian community. In Lebanon, the President and the army commander are usually chosen from this group.

Military Career

Aoun joined the Lebanese army in 1983. He received special training in other countries, including the United States and Syria. He also trained in fighting terrorism in the United States in 2008 and in Lebanon in 2013. Since 2015, he led the army's 9th Infantry Brigade.

Leading During Conflict

In 1990, Aoun was a lieutenant during the Lebanese Civil War. He served under a leader named Bassam Gergi. When Gergi was killed in a battle, Aoun took over his leadership role.

Commander of the Army

In 2015, Aoun was put in charge of the 9th Brigade, which was stationed near the border with Israel. On March 8, 2017, the Lebanese government chose him to be the top commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). He took over from Jean Kahwaji.

Aoun led important battles against groups like the Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front. These groups were hiding near Lebanon's border with Syria. In August 2017, he commanded a successful operation called "Jroud Dawn Operation." This operation helped to remove the militants from their strongholds.

In March 2021, General Aoun spoke about the economic problems in Lebanon. He talked about how these problems were affecting the military. His speech became very popular online.

In December 2023, Lebanon's parliament voted to let Aoun stay as army commander for another year. During this time, he led the army through the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. In November 2024, parliament voted again to extend his term.

Political Career

People first started talking about Joseph Aoun becoming president in July 2022. Many thought he would be a good choice to follow Michel Aoun. Countries like Qatar and the United States showed their support for him. Several countries, including the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, formed a group to help solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon. Most of these countries supported Aoun's election.

Becoming President (2025–present)

On January 9, 2025, Joseph Aoun was elected as the 14th president of Lebanon. This happened during the second round of the election session.

Awards and Honors

Ribbon	Description	Notes	Ref.
	War Medal	Received three times
	Medal of the Wounded	Received three times
	Medal of National Unity
	Medal of the "Dawn of the South"
	Military Valour Medal, Silver
	Order of Merit, third class
	Order of Merit, second class
	Order of Merit, first class
	Knight of the National Order of the Cedar
	Officer of the National Order of the Cedar

See also

In Spanish: Joseph Aoun para niños