Shortly after the Sa'ar's welcome statement, it was reported that National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi had told Israeli ministers not to address the appointment.

Lebanese army commander elected president weeks after a tenuous cease-fire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

General Joseph Aoun was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, which funds, trains, and arms the Lebanese military and helped broker a cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah in November.