In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun arrives for a meeting at the Grand Serail government headquarters in Beirut. Lebanese lawmakers are expected to finally elect a president on January 9 after more than two years of deadlock, in a much-needed step to help lift the war-battered country out of financial crisis, with Aoun, 60, widely seen as the frontrunner. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)