List of Presidents of Lebanon: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Lebanon from 1976 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Lebanon, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Lebanon: Joseph Aoun (in office since 2025). The presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian and the office was vacant from 31 October 2022 to 9 January 2025.

Presidents of Lebanon in order, with years in office

Elias Sarkis

Served: 1976–1982

Maronite president elected in 1976 during the civil war.

Bachir Gemayel

Served: 1982 (president-elect)

Elected in August 1982 and assassinated on 14 September 1982, before taking office.

Amine Gemayel

Served: 1982–1988

Brother of Bachir Gemayel; served until September 1988.

Michel Aoun

Served: 1988–1990 (acting, disputed), 2016–2022

Army commander who led a rival government as prime minister and acting president from 1988 to 1990, a claim disputed by Selim Hoss and by Presidents Moawad and Hrawi; elected president in October 2016 and served until October 2022.

Selim Hoss

Served: 1988–1989 (acting)

Prime minister who acted as president in 1988–1989 and again briefly in November 1989.

René Moawad

Served: 1989

Elected on 5 November 1989 and assassinated 17 days later.

Elias Hrawi

Served: 1989–1998

Succeeded Moawad and served until November 1998.

Émile Lahoud

Served: 1998–2007

Former army commander who served until November 2007.

Fouad Siniora

Served: 2007–2008 (acting)

Prime minister who acted as president during the vacancy before Suleiman's election.

Michel Suleiman

Served: 2008–2014

Elected in May 2008 after a political deadlock, with 118 votes.

Tammam Salam

Served: 2014–2016 (acting)

Prime minister who acted as president during the vacancy from May 2014 to October 2016.

Joseph Aoun

Served: 2025–present

Army commander elected on 9 January 2025, ending a vacancy of more than two years; he visited the White House in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Lebanon

Who is the current president of Lebanon?

The current head of state of Lebanon is Joseph Aoun, in office since 2025. The presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian and the office was vacant from 31 October 2022 to 9 January 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Lebanon?

The presidents and heads of state of Lebanon listed on this page, in order, are: Elias Sarkis, Bachir Gemayel, Amine Gemayel, Michel Aoun, Selim Hoss, René Moawad, Elias Hrawi, Émile Lahoud, Fouad Siniora, Michel Suleiman, Tammam Salam, Joseph Aoun.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Lebanon and President of Lebanon; Jewish Virtual Library; WorldAtlas; AP, Al Jazeera and UPI reports on Joseph Aoun (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since 1976, with acting and disputed claimants labelled; earlier presidents come in a later update.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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