The White House is looking to use the current situation Hezbollah has found itself in to push for an election of a new Lebanese president, Axios reported on Friday citing United States officials.
According to the officials, with Israel conducting more frequent operations against the militant group, and after the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the US sees this as an appropriate time to select a new leadership. Officials added that the Biden administration believes the militant group's weakened state should be taken advantage of, as they might not be able to affect the political system significantly at present.
Last Lebanese President Michel Aoun stepped down in 2022 when his mandate ended and since then the country hasn't had an official leader. While Nasrallah was alive, he hindered any efforts to put anyone but his ally Suleiman Frangieh in office. A potential candidate, supported by the West, is Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Joseph Aoun.
