The vote in Lebanon's Chamber of Deputies on Thursday failed to elect a new head of the republic. According to Speaker Nabih Berri, none of the presidential candidates was able to secure the support of 65 of the 128 members of parliament, whose votes are needed to win.
"There were 44 deputies who voted for the candidate of the opposition factions, Michel Moawad, which is the highest number of lawmakers, and 6 for the independent candidate Issam Khalifa," he said. According to the speaker, 47 deputies put blank ballots in the ballot boxes.
This was the fifth time the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies has held the presidential election, with the first round taking place on September 29. The next parliamentary vote is expected to take place on Thursday, November 17.
The term of General Michel Aoun, who served as head of state for six years, ended on October 31. He left Baabda Palace, leaving the presidency vacant.
According to the Lebanese Constitution, a government headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati is temporarily acting as head of the republic.
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Based on materials from TASS