The Biden administration, in coordination with President-elect Trump’s transition team, played a central role in ensuring the election of General Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president, U.S. officials and sources familiar with the process told "Axios".

“Aoun's victory is a boost to the pro-Western camp in Lebanon and a blow to Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian groups in the region,” the report stated.

Over the past six weeks, the Biden administration and Saudi Arabia led a joint campaign to secure Aoun’s election during the Lebanese parliamentary vote on January 9. France and Qatar also lent their support to this coordinated effort, which reached its peak this week with a visit to the region by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein.

Hochstein, who brokered the recent ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel, lobbied privately for Aoun, according to U.S. officials. 

“The Biden administration sees the commander of the Lebanese military as a professional who is pro-Western, does not support Hezbollah, and has the trust of the majority of Lebanese,” two officials said.

The election efforts included rare collaboration between the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump team. Before traveling to the region, Hochstein and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Trump’s National Security Adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz, to align their positions. Both teams agreed it was crucial to prevent Hezbollah from regaining influence through the presidential election.

Hochstein also maintained contact with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, briefing him on developments in Lebanon. During his meetings in the region, Hochstein assured interlocutors that both administrations were united in their stance.

In Riyadh, Hochstein met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his envoy, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, to strategize. 

In Beirut, Hochstein held lengthy discussions with Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with Aoun joining at one point.

A pivotal meeting occurred late Monday night with Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces party. Hochstein reportedly convinced Geagea to drop his opposition to Aoun’s candidacy and instruct his party’s lawmakers to vote for him.

On Tuesday morning, Hochstein attended a breakfast with several Lebanese lawmakers still undecided about their votes. 

According to a U.S. official, one lawmaker challenged Hochstein, saying, “Who gives you the right to decide who will be the president of Lebanon?”

Two U.S. officials said the U.S. envoy replied that he was not telling them how to vote and stressed they could do whatever they wanted.

“But it is my right to decide how much time the U.S. is going to spend on Lebanon and where it wants to spend its money,” Hochstein added, emphasizing the bipartisan belief that electing a president was essential for Lebanon’s future.

Before leaving Beirut, a U.S. official noted, Hochstein called Saudi envoy Prince Yazid, urging him to continue pressuring Lebanese lawmakers. Prince Yazid’s efforts, alongside those of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), were instrumental, according to U.S. officials.

The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by Hochstein, played a crucial role in Aoun’s election. Under the deal, the Lebanese armed forces are tasked with redeploying in southern Lebanon as the Israeli military withdraws.

During Hochstein’s visit, he chaired a meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee, attended by Lebanese and Israeli military officers. As the meeting unfolded, the Israeli army began withdrawing from the town of Naqoura and other areas in southern Lebanon.

“This was a key thing. The presidential election wouldn’t have happened as it did without it. The fact that the Israeli army withdrew gave huge credibility to the Lebanese army and Aoun personally. The Lebanese army showed everybody it can deliver,” a U.S. official said.