The United States is using Saudi Arabia’s financial backing to push for Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun’s election as president, according to a senior Arab official and a former US diplomat. Aoun already has the support of Sunni Prime Minister Najib Mikati, but US envoy Amos Hochstein lobbied intensively for him during his trip to Lebanon on Monday.
The offer of hundreds of millions of dollars in reconstruction funds is seen as a key factor in the US push for Aoun’s election, which is scheduled to take place on January 9. The vote comes at a critical time, with negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to begin in mid-January.
The US is also using this opportunity to revive Saudi Arabia’s role in Lebanon, which had been limited due to the country’s economic crisis and the kingdom’s strained relations with Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah. The US has brought Saudi Arabia on board, attempting to restore the kingdom’s influence in the Mediterranean region.
Aoun’s military credentials are seen as crucial for implementing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which is currently at a critical juncture. The US believes that Aoun’s election will be important for demarcating borders with Israel and allowing for the country’s sovereignty to be restored.
The US has a personal stake in pushing for Aoun’s election, having previously mediated a maritime demarcation deal between Lebanon and Israel and brokered a November ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. The US envoy Amos Hochstein saw through Aoun’s election as president as also being personal, given his previous role in brokering the ceasefire agreements.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-dangles-saudi-arabias-cash-push-candidate-lebanese-presidency