Michel Aoun elected President of Lebanon

Lebanon's parliament has elected Michel Aoun as the President of Lebanon, ending a political stand-off that has left the post empty for more than two years.

President Aoun, an 81-year-old former army general, secured 83 votes in the 128-seat chamber when MPs convened for their 46th attempt to choose a head of state. The Lebanese constitution stipulates that a president must secure at least two thirds of MPs (86 deputies) in the first vote, or 65 votes in another process.

Michel Aoun was immediately sworn in as Lebanon's 13th president.

Outgoing UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, welcomed Mr. Aoun's election and said that he hoped that Lebanese parties would now continue to work in a spirit of unity and in the national interest.

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