BEIRUT — On Thursday, Lebanon’s parliament took the significant step of extending the term of General Joseph Aoun, the head of the army, who is considered a strong contender for the presidency in the upcoming election.

The parliamentary body has rarely convened in the aftermath of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has persisted for over a year. There has been no effort to elect a president since June 2023, resulting in a prolonged political stalemate within the nation.

This parliamentary session was notable as it followed the implementation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which came into force on Wednesday. This ceasefire holds the Lebanese military accountable for ensuring that Hezbollah fighters withdraw from southern Lebanon and that their infrastructure is dismantled. With the increased responsibility, the army anticipates receiving international assistance to bolster troop deployment in the southern regions, thereby achieving full state control.

General Aoun’s potential candidacy for the presidency is supported by his strong connections with the international community, as well as his leadership of an institution that represents a rare consensus in a country rife with political and sectarian strife. It is worth noting that Lebanon has been without a president since October 31, 2022.

The implications of renewing Aoun’s term on his presidential aspirations remain uncertain. Hezbollah and several of its main allies express reservations regarding Aoun’s presidency, largely due to his close ties with the United States.

Also during Thursday’s session, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who played a key role in negotiating with the U.S. to conclude the war, announced plans for parliament to meet again on January 9, 2025, to attempt to elect a new president. This would mark the first effort to fill that position in nearly 19 months.

French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has been tasked by French President Emmanuel Macron with aiding Lebanon in overcoming its political impasse, attended the parliamentary session prior to discussions with Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

In his remarks on Wednesday, Berri encouraged political factions to select a president capable of uniting Lebanon’s divided groups. This appeal is aimed at preventing further decline in the war-torn nation, which is already grappling with severe economic challenges and the potential for escalating internal political conflict between Hezbollah and its opposing political factions.

Opponents of Hezbollah, who advocate for the group’s complete disarmament, are expressing outrage over the organization’s unilateral decision to engage in combat with Israel, justifying their actions in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.