BEIRUT, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri declared on Thursday holding another session next Thursday in a new bid to elect a president of the republic after today's session lacked a quorum.
Today's first session was held with presence of 110 deputies of the total 128 MPs. None of the candidates garnered 86 votes, required to elect a nominee. As to the session round, the attendance quorum, 86, was not secured thus it did not take place.
In today's balloting, MP Michel Mouawad won 42 votes, the academic Issam Khalife six, former minister Ziad Baroud two, Badri Daher one. MPs cast 50 blank ones, eight legislators put papers with the expression, "new Lebanon," while a single was deemed as null.
Mandate of the former president Michel Aoun expired on October 31. Since then, the parliament had held several futile sessions.
Failure of electing a new president is largely attributed to deep political divisions, polarization and bickering. (end) kbs.rk