BEIRUT — The moment Michel Aoun, Lebanon’s new president, stepped into the presidential palace Oct. 31, he knew his calm days — if there had been any — were over. His ability to secure the support of two opposing groups in the Cabinet and parliament, Hezbollah and the Future Movement, got him into office; now he must manage the relationship.
Aoun is considered an ally of Shiite movement Hezbollah and Iran, yet he leads the largest Christian bloc in parliament. He also managed to win the support of new Prime Minister Saad Hariri, leader of the Sunni Future Movement and a Saudi ally.