Lebanon parliament not to elect new president

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Lebanon parliament not to elect new president

Speaker Nabih Berri cast his vote as parliament gathers to elect a president at the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29, 2022. BILAL HUSSEIN AP BEIRUT - The Lebanese parliament did not elect a new head of state on Thursday to replace President Michel Aoun when his term ends on October 31, and parliament speaker Nabih Berri said he would call another session when consensus emerged on a candidate.

The majority of the votes cast by lawmakers at Thursday's session 63 were blank. The support of Christian politician Michel Moawad was backed by 36 of 122 lawmakers who attended.

If consensus emerges on a candidate, the presidency looks set to fall vacant if Aoun's term ends, at a time of deep financial crisis.

The presidency has been vacated several times since the civil war between 1975 and 90, despite the fact that it is reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon's sectarian system.

Since the presidential vacuum is over, politicians have stepped up efforts to agree a new cabinet led by Sunni Muslim Prime Minister Najib Mikati - who is currently serving in a caretaker capacity - to which presidential powers could pass until a president can be agreed.

READ MORE: Lebanon's top Christian party signaled the possible end of Hezbollah.