Joseph Aoun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Joseph Aoun
جوزيف عون
Aoun in 2018
14th President of Lebanon
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 January 2025
Prime Minister	Najib Mikati
Preceded by	Michel Aoun Najib Mikati (acting)
14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 March 2017
President	Michel Aoun Himself
Preceded by	Jean Kahwaji
Personal details
Born	(1964-01-10) 10 January 1964 (age 61) Sin el Fil, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Spouse	Nehmat Nehmeh
Alma mater	Lebanese American University (BA)​ Lebanese Army Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance	Lebanon
Branch/service	Lebanese Army
Years of service	1983–present
Rank	General
Battles/wars	Lebanese Civil War

Joseph Khalil Aoun (Arabic: جوزيف خليل عون, born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese general serving as the 14th president of Lebanon since 9 January 2025. He has also served as the 14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.

Early life and education

Aoun was born on January 10, 1964, in the Beirut suburb of Sin el-Fil in the Metn District, the child of Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta and Khalil Aoun. He completed secondary school at the Collège des Frères Mont La Salle. His family is originally from the town of Al-Aaishiyah, Southern Lebanon.

Aoun enrolled at the Lebanese American University to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs, which he earned in 2007. He also holds a bachelor's degree in military science from the Lebanese Army Military Academy.

Personal life

Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh. They have two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English. He is not related to Michel Aoun, his predecessor as both President of Lebanon and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, although both are members of Lebanon's Maronite minority (under the National Pact, the President and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces are always selected from the Maronite community).

Military 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.

Lebanese Civil War

In 1990, Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of Maghaweer leader Bassam Gergi at the Adma barracks. During the Adma Battle in the Elimination War, Gergi was killed and Aoun took over leadership within the Maghawir group.

Commander of Lebanese Armed Forces

In 2015, Aoun was appointed commander of the 9th Brigade deployed on the border with Israel. On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed him commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), replacing Jean Kahwaji.

Aoun led battles against the Islamic State campaign in eastern Lebanon yet, where hundreds of Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front militants were entrenched on the border with Syria. In August 19, 2017 he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was a successful offensive to expel the militants from their strongholds.

Following protests in Lebanon and the political deadlock, General Aoun spoke out on March 8, 2021 decrying the Lebanese liquidity crisis and its impact on the military. His speech went viral on social media.

On December 15, 2023, the Lebanese parliament voted to extend Aoun's term for one year which was mainly endorsed by the Lebanese Opposition, the Amal Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party. During this time, he led the LAF through the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. On November 28, 2024, parliament voted to extend his term a second time.

Political career

Aoun's possible presidential 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. 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. A five-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to hold talks and solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon in which most countries affirmed its support for Aoun's election. Jumblatt was the first to announce that the Democratic Gathering bloc he leads will elect him.

Presidency (2025–present)

On January 9, 2025, Aoun was elected 14th president of Lebanon in the second round of the electoral session.

Honors

Ribbon	Description	Notes	Ref.
	War Medal	Three-time recipient
	Medal of the Wounded	Three-time recipient
	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