Joseph Aoun (general)

Joseph Khalil Aoun (جوزاف خليل عون, born 10 January 1964) is a Lebanese Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.

Early life
Joseph Aoun was born on January 10, 1964 to a Maronite Catholic family in the Beirut suburb of Sin el-Fil in the Metn District. He earned a degree in political science and a degree in military science.

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.

Civil war
In 1990, Joseph Aoun served as a lieutenant under the command of Maghawir 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 the LAF
On 8 March 2017, the Lebanese government appointed Joseph Aoun commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, replacing Jean Kahwaji.

On August 2017 he commanded the Jroud Dawn Operation which was an offensive against an Islamic State enclave on the northeast border with Syria.

Following the protests in Lebanon and with the deadlock of the formation of the government, General Aoun made a speech on March 8, 2021 concerning the local and regional situation. Aoun focused on the economic crisis and its impact on the military staff and addressed the political class: "Where are we going? What are you waiting for? What do you plan to do? We have warned more than once of the danger of the situation." 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.

Presidential candidacy
Aoun's possible 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 5-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, KSA, and Egypt to hold talks and solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon most countries affirmed its support for the election of Joseph Aoun. Despite this Aoun said during a meeting with a delegation from the Press Syndicate when asked about his candidacy, “I don't care about it, it doesn't concern me, no one has discussed it with me and I haven't discussed it with anyone”.

Personal life
Joseph Aoun is married to Nehmat Nehmeh and father of two children, Khalil and Nour. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English. Contrary to popular belief, he is unrelated to former President of Lebanon and fellow Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Michel Aoun.

On 5 January 2024 Aoun's mother, Hoda Ibrahim Makhlouta, passed away. A memorial service was held the next day in Fiyadieh which was attended by multiple church leaders, ministers and members of parliament.