Lebanon's parliament is expected to elect army chief Joseph Aoun as the country's president, ending a two-year presidential vacuum. Aoun's election would mark a shift in power balance and show the diminished influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The post of president, reserved for a Maronite Christian, has been vacant since October 2022. Aoun's candidacy gained momentum after Hezbollah's preferred candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, withdrew and declared support for Aoun. The election comes amidst increased Western and Arab contacts with Lebanese factions to secure Aoun's victory.