Michel Aoun wins Lebanon presidency, ending 2-1/2-year vacuum
Michel Aoun wins Lebanon presidency, ending 2-1/2-year vacuum Date: Monday, October 31, 2016 By: Fatema Basim Source: The Daily Star BEIRUT: Michel Aoun has been sworn in as Lebanon's 13th president after gaining a simple majority in the second round of voting in Monday’s highly-anticipated presidential election in Parliament, putting an end to the country’s 2-1/2-year vacuum. “In my name and the name of the Parliament, we present to you the sincerest congratulations in the election of a president for the country during these hard times,” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said after tallying the votes. Moments after Berri’s announcement, Aoun took the constitutional oath, promising to prioritize political stability to the country. “I came at a hard time, and there is a lot of hope that I will overcome difficulties. ... The Lebanese need their state to protect their rights and obligations and for there to be a president who guarantees safety,” Aoun said. He als...
