Suleiman Expects Parliament to Assume its Responsibility and Elect President before May 25

President Michel Suleiman hoped on Tuesday that parliament will respect the constitutional deadline to elect a president, saying that this remains one of the greatest challenges facing Lebanon.

He said in a statement: “I expect parliament to assume its national responsibility and elect a new president that the Lebanese people deserve before May 25.”

This president will hopefully be competent and bolster trust among the people, he noted in a statement.

“As guardian of the constitution, I cannot but urge parliament and its political powers to stage the presidential elections through ensuring the needed quorum,” Suleiman stressed.

“They must elect the most appropriate president to lead the country during a phase that requires exceptional unity,” he added, while demanding that political forces place higher national interests above foreign or personal ones.

Parliament is scheduled to convene on Wednesday in order to elect a new president amid fears that the needed quorum will not be met.

Any candidate must secure two-thirds of the lawmakers' votes to win in the first round of elections, while 65 votes are needed for the second round.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Democratic Gathering MP Henri Helou are the only candidates in the elections.

M.T.

G.K.