Lebanon MPs seek end to leadership vacuum with January presidency vote / Photo: - - AFP
-
Kennedy Center: future unclear for iconic Washington arts hub
-
Nvidia, OpenAI CEOs to attend Xi dinner at White House
-
Trump claims 'infinite' Greenland security deal with Denmark
-
Anthropic picks Accenture for in-house AI safety evaluation
-
Helicopters battle wildfire threatening Ecuador's capital
-
Balogun returns as Monaco beat Lens to continue strong Ligue 1 start
-
Brentford batter Chelsea to undo Alonso's promising start
-
'Pause' on overt repression in Venezuela, but reforms still needed: HRW
-
Kane hits Bundesliga century as Bayern rout Union
-
Global stocks mixed as yen falls despite Bank of Japan rate hike
-
Trump says CNN, MS NOW, Politico banned from White House
-
Cuba hit with seventh major blackout of the year
-
Hushing and hedging: US companies retreat on climate
-
Murray out with concussion so Wentz will start for Vikings
-
Springboks to face Fiji before 2027 Rugby World Cup
-
UN chief 'deeply regrets' US visa refusal to Abbas for annual meeting
-
Nigeria miners struggled to breathe in cell before 37 died: survivors
-
England quick Carse to face no charges over alleged nightclub assault
-
McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship as Reed withdraws
-
Mancini brings nine newcomers into the first squad of his Italy comeback
-
McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship
-
Czechs level Davis Cup tie against USA as South Korea eye Finals
-
Crisis-wracked Volkswagen warns of 10-bn-euro hit to profits
-
New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad
-
Costa Rica's Grynspan tops third informal poll for UN chief: diplomat
-
California governor signs order to explore AI 'kill switch'
-
Stock markets retreat after central bank rate hikes
-
Head leads run spree as Australia win Zimbabwe ODI series
-
Russia labels director of Cannes Grand Prix winner a 'foreign agent'
-
In-form Raphinha wants to finish career at Barcelona
-
Macron warns of Russian 'hybrid' threat after meeting presidential hopefuls
-
Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman
-
UN holds third informal poll for new chief
-
Carrick confident Man Utd can 'work through' tough time
-
Kulusevski return can spark Spurs: De Zerbi
-
Mbappe ends Nike partnership to join Swiss brand On
-
Shakira to cap off world tour with Madrid 12-gig run
-
Liverpool boss Iraola puts Bournemouth love affair on hold
-
Isolated Syrian-Druze city blames Damascus for shortages
-
'A disaster' if Man City do not win says Maresca after flawless start
-
Isolated Syrian-Druze city shortages
-
Kerry James Marshall: American 'blackness' painter celebrated in Europe
-
Dutch drop Depay for Germany match in Xavi's first pick
-
Spain coach De la Fuente offers 'full support' to people of Ceuta
-
Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Nations League
-
Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms over West's Ukraine support
-
Stock markets diverge after central bank rate hikes
-
England can build on World Cup 'spirit', says Tuchel
-
Anti-Assad music star makes triumphant return to Syria
-
UNESCO can be 'moderator' in AI debate: chief to AFP
Lebanon MPs seek end to leadership vacuum with January presidency vote
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.
The official National News Agency also reported that parliament on Thursday extended the mandate of army chief Joseph Aoun, himself floated as a potential presidential contender.
"Speaker Nabih Berri called a parliament session to elect a president of the republic on January 9," the NNA 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.
The NNA also said Thursday that "parliament approved the extension of the mandate of General Joseph Aoun for one year".
Lawmakers had already extended his term last year, as he had been set to retire on January 10, 2024.
Part of Thursday's parliament session was attended by French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, who arrived a day earlier for talks with senior Lebanese officials.
A statement from speaker Berri's office said he and Le Drian on Thursday "discussed the general situation, political developments and the presidential issue".
A French diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters that Le Drian came to Lebanon to "relaunch the issue of the presidency and the need for reforms".
By convention, the presidency goes to a Maronite Christian, the premiership is reserved for a Sunni Muslim and the post of parliamentary speaker goes to a Shiite Muslim.
On Wednesday after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed 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".
U.AlSharif--SF-PST
