For 38th time, Lebanon fails to elect new president

By Hamza Takin

BEIRUT

Lebanon’s parliament on Monday failed for the 38th time to elect a new president for the country amid a boycott by Hezbollah lawmakers.

Fifty-three MPs attended Monday’s assembly session, falling short of the 86 necessary to meet a quorum for holding the vote. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri postponed the vote to May 10, when MPs will try once again to elect a new head of state.

Former President Michel Suleiman’s term ended on May 25, 2014. Since then, Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament has been unable to muster enough MPs to elect a new president.

Political forces in the Lebanese parliament are split between supporters of the March 14 Alliance, which supports the Syrian revolution, and the March 8 Alliance, which supports the Assad regime. This is in addition to the centrists who are led by Walid Jumblatt and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.