Lebanese parliament fails again to elect new president

BEIRUT, Lebanon

Lebanese lawmakers on Thursday failed for the fifth time to elect a new president, threatening to deepen the country’s political and economic crises.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun left office on Oct. 31 after his 6-year term expired without lawmakers agreeing on a successor.

Candidate Michel Mouawad, backed by the Lebanese Forces Party, got only 44 votes in Thursday’s session, which was attended by 108 members of the 128-seat assembly.

To win in the first round of voting, two-thirds of lawmakers in the 128-member assembly are needed, after which a simple majority suffices.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri set the next session for November 17.

In Lebanon, the president is limited to a single six-year term.

Lebanon has been going through a deep economic crisis since 2019. The country has already been without a fully functioning government since May.

* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report