Lebonan

Lebanese Parliament Fails to Elect President for 42nd Time

Lebanon Parliament’s Wednesday session to elect a president was adjourned as only about 37 of the chamber’s 128 MPs showed up.

It was the 42nd session to elect a new head of state, and as with previous sessions, it was adjourned due to a lack of quorum. A two-thirds majority (86 of 128 MPs) is required for a quorum.

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri set a new session for Aug. 8, the Daily Star reported.

Lebanon has been without a head of state for over two years, since former President Michel Sleiman’s tenure ended in May 2014.

The power vacuum has largely paralyzed Parliament and threatened the work of the Cabinet.

There are two main candidates for the presidency: Aoun and his March 8 ally MP Sleiman Frangieh.

Last November, Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri nominated the Marada Movement chief, Frangieh, for the presidency as a part of an internationally backed initiative to end the power vacuum.

Frangieh is also backed by Berri, Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblatt and some independent lawmakers.

Aoun is supported by Hezbollah and some of its March 8 allies as well as the Lebanese Forces.

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