The opposition MPs called on Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to hold a presidential election session on Tuesday.
Berri has called for a parliamentary session next Tuesday at 11:00 AM to elect two secretaries, three commissioners, and members of parliamentary committees “in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 44 of the Constitution and Article 3 and 19 of the Parliament's internal regulations.”
Lebanese Forces MP Ghassan Hasbani questioned why “this invitation is not accompanied by setting a date for a session to elect the president of the Republic, especially since Parliament can convene sessions, even in these circumstances?”
For his part, MP Ziad Hawat has called on Berri to “take advantage” of the parliamentary session scheduled for October 22 and “elect a president who can rescue Lebanon.”
He noted that this step could happen following “a dynamic shift towards electing a president among all political forces after a paralyzing two-year vacancy.”
On his personal account on X (formerly Twitter), Hawat stressed that “the gravity of the situation requires all of us to take the initiative. It is crucial to form a new, rescue-oriented government that can negotiate with the international community to secure a ceasefire and commit to implementing international resolutions.”
LF MP George Okais addressed a question following Berri’s call for a session: “Shouldn't he, as a priority, take advantage of the fact that MPs will be present at the scheduled time, and immediately following the election of the committees, call for a session to elect a president?”
“Isn't it an insult to every MP to attend the general session, then leave and make statements calling for the election of a president?” he asked.
He also considered that “parliamentary blocs should seize this opportunity to remain in the General Assembly after electing the committees and proceed with electing a president.”
“We await an answer from the Speaker and the stance of the other blocs,” he said on his X account.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended on Oct. 31, 2022. According to the constitution, Parliament should only meet to elect a new head of state. Twelve sessions since September 2022 have failed due to lack of political consensus.
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