History of Michel Aoun

Michel Aoun, a prominent figure in Lebanese politics, has had a career marked by periods of military command, political exile, and eventually presidency. Born on September 30, 1933, in Haret Hreik, a suburb of Beirut, Aoun’s journey through Lebanon’s tumultuous political landscape spans several decades and is characterized by resilience and adaptability amid the country's persistent instability.

Aoun’s military career began after he graduated from the Lebanese Military Academy in 1955. Rising through the ranks, he gained recognition for his leadership capabilities and by 1984, he had been appointed as the commander of the Lebanese Army. This period was fraught with challenges as Lebanon was embroiled in a brutal civil war that lasted from 1975 to 1990, involving various sectarian factions and foreign interventions.

In 1988, amidst a constitutional crisis and a deeply fractured nation, outgoing President Amine Gemayel appointed Aoun as the interim Prime Minister. This appointment, however, was controversial. Traditionally, the role of Prime Minister in Lebanon is designated for a Sunni Muslim, but Aoun, a Maronite Christian, was tasked with forming a military government as attempts to elect a successor failed. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by his strong opposition to the Syrian military presence in Lebanon, which he viewed as an occupation force.

Aoun declared a "War of Liberation" against Syrian forces in 1989, which only intensified the conflict, contributing to continued instability and bloodshed. His refusal to accept the Taif Agreement—a Syrian-brokered accord that ended the Lebanese Civil War and increased Syrian influence in the country—led to his eventual ouster. In October 1990, Syrian forces launched an offensive with tacit international support, forcing Aoun to seek asylum in the French Embassy and later exile in France, where he remained for 15 years.

During his exile, Aoun became a symbol of resistance against Syrian influence in Lebanon. He continued to rally support from abroad, particularly from the Lebanese diaspora, and remained active in Lebanese political discourse. His fervent anti-Syrian stance maintained his prominence in Lebanese politics, laying the groundwork for his eventual return.

In 2005, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the subsequent Cedar Revolution—a series of demonstrations seeking an end to Syrian occupation—Syria withdrew its forces from Lebanon. This development cleared the path for Aoun’s return. His arrival in Beirut was greeted by thousands of supporters, marking a new chapter in his political journey.

Seizing the moment, Aoun established the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which rapidly became a major political force. Despite his previous anti-Syrian rhetoric, Aoun’s political strategy took a pragmatic turn. In 2006, he signed a memorandum of understanding with Hezbollah, a Shiite political and militant organization allied with Syria and Iran. This alliance surprised many but demonstrated Aoun’s adaptability in navigating Lebanon’s complex sectarian politics.

Aoun’s political maneuvers eventually led to his election as President of Lebanon in October 2016, ending a two-year vacuum in the presidency due to political deadlock. At age 83, he was the oldest person to assume the office. His presidency was characterized by attempts to stabilize Lebanon’s fragile political system and address its numerous challenges, including economic crises, infrastructure deficiencies, and refugee issues stemming from the Syrian civil war.

However, Aoun's tenure was not without controversy. Critics accused his administration of nepotism, particularly pointing to the influential role played by his son-in-law, Gebran Bassil, in Lebanese politics. Moreover, widespread anti-government protests in 2019 highlighted public discontent with Lebanon’s ruling elite, corruption, and economic mismanagement. The demonstrations demanded a new political system free from sectarian constraints, challenging Aoun’s presidency and leading to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Aoun’s presidency encountered further upheaval following the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in August 2020, an event that exacerbated the nation’s economic woes and intensified public outrage. In the aftermath, Aoun faced criticism for inefficiencies in government response and accountability. Despite these challenges, Aoun maintained his position until the end of his term in October 2022.

Michel Aoun’s legacy is complex, reflecting the shifting dynamics of Lebanese politics. His transition from a military leader who resisted Syrian influence to a political figure willing to engage with former adversaries underscores the pragmatism often required in Lebanon’s power-sharing system. As a politician who has navigated war, exile, and a turbulent presidency, Aoun’s career encapsulates the struggle for sovereignty and stability within a deeply divided nation. His story is one of endurance, marked by both controversy and adaptability, reflecting the broader challenges faced by Lebanon throughout its modern history.