Lebanon fails to elect president again

26 July Global Times

The Lebanese parliament failed for the ninth time Wednesday to elect a new president due to lack of the required quorum. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for a new session to vote on August 12th.

Lebanon is witnessing a vacuum in the presidency post following the end of President Michel Suleiman's term on May 25th. According to the constitution, the cabinet takes charge of the president's post until the election of a new head of state.

Two major opposing camps resulted in a political deadlock throughout the government. The March 8 camp backs President Bashar al-Assad of neighboring Syria, while members of the March 14 camp oppose the Syrian government and support rebels in their fight against Assad.

The parliament has early failed in eight consecutive rounds to elect a new president due to the differences between the two alliances. None of the candidates has secured the required quorum of two thirds of the 128-parliament members which necessitates the election of a consensual president.It is not the first time the vacuum in the presidency occurs as Lebanon elected President Michel Suleiman in May, 2008 after former President Emile LAhoud's term ended in 2007, and previously following the end of former President Amine Gemayel's term in 1988, General Michel Aoun led the country until October 1990.There are growing fears that a prolonged vacuum in the country's top executive post would deteriorate domestic situation as it is struggling with violence, economic decline and an influx of Syrian refugees.