NNA - White smoke emerged from the Lebanese Parliament on Thursday as General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, was elected as Lebanon's 14th President. His election marks the end of a presidential vacancy that lasted for more than two years.  

Aoun secured 99 votes in the parliamentary session, while 9 MPs cast blank ballots. 

Additionally, 12 MPs voted with a "Sovereignty and Constitution" slip, and Shibli Mallat received 2 votes. A total of 5 ballots were declared invalid.