Lebanon parliament to meet on January 9 to elect president
28 Nov 2024 4:07 PM IST28 Nov 2024 4:07 PM IST
A man waves the flag of Lebanon in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on November 27, 2024, as displaced people make their way back to their homes in the south of Lebanon after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (Photo by AFP)
Beriut: Lebanon's parliament will meet on January 9 to elect a new president, seeking to end more than two years without a head of state, official media reported Thursday, a day after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire began.
"Speaker Nabih Berri called a parliament session to elect a president of the republic on January 9," the official National News Agency reported.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, with neither of the two main blocs -- the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents -- having the majority required to elect one, and unable to reach a consensus.
On Wednesday after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said: "I hope this will be a new page for Lebanon, I hope the coming days will lead to the election of a president."
Berri, who led ceasefire talks on behalf of ally Hezbollah, also called Wednesday for the country to "quickly elect a president".
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said in a speech earlier this month that after the war, Hezbollah would "bring an effective contribution to the election of a president".
By convention, the presidency goes to a Maronite Christian, the premiership is reserved for a Sunni Muslim and the post of parliament speaker goes to a Shiite Muslim.
( Source : AFP )
Next Story