Gemayel Warns against Adapting to Presidential Vacuum

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel warned on Wednesday that vacuum in the presidency will lead to vacuum in state institutions, stressing the need to respect Lebanon's National Pact regarding power-sharing between the sects.

He said before a Maronite delegation: “We must not adapt to the presidential vacuum.”

“Electing a new president is a Maronite duty as much as it is a national duty,” he continued.

Moreover, Gemayel said that his contacts between various Maronite leaders is aimed at bridging the divide that has grown between them in order to ensure that the presidential elections are held.

Parliament failed to elect a president after five rounds.

The first round was staged, but neither of the candidates received the necessary votes of 86 lawmakers to emerge victorious.

The remaining four sessions were not held due to a boycott of the March 8 camp MPs, namely those of Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement, over a dispute with the March 14 alliance over the elections.

The sixth session is scheduled for June 9.

M.T.

S.D.B.