Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil was selected on Thursday as the new president of the Free Patriotic Movement, following an internal settlement blessed by the party’s founder MP Michel Aoun.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil was selected on Thursday as the new president of the Free Patriotic Movement, following an internal settlement blessed by the party’s founder MP Michel Aoun.

Aoun congratulated the competitors from his home in Rabieh and stressed that “there is no victor or vanquished as this is the will of the absolute majority.”

He also announced that he has not and will not prevent other members from submitting their candidacy for the party’s presidency.

As part of the settlement resulting in Bassil’s ascendancy, substantial changes will be made to the party’s internal bylaws. The powers of the politburo will be increased and the president’s powers will be curbed, in an attempt to foster inclusive decision-making. An assessment of party officials is also expected to take place.

Bassil has been active in the FPM since its inception. He began his political career as communications minister, from July 2008 until November 2009, before serving two terms as water and energy minister, from 2009 until 2014. He is currently Lebanon’s foreign minister.