Presidential Elections Postponed to November 11 as Saniora Warns of 'State's Disintegration'
The presidential elections were postponed on Wednesday for the 30th time following a lack of quorum at parliament.
Speaker Nabih Berri set the new session for November 11.
A total of 49 lawmakers attended Wednesday's session, while 86 MPs are needed for the elections to be held.
Following the failed session, head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora warned that the “failure to elect a president is leading Lebanon towards further disintegration, especially on the economic level.”
“Those obstructing the elections are responsible for the current state of affairs in Lebanon,” he declared from parliament.
“Electing a head of state is key to reaching a solution to major problems in Lebanon,” he stressed.
“The polls should not be linked to regional affairs and we need to elect a president who not only represents his background, but other Lebanese communities,” added the MP.
“The president is the symbol of Lebanon's unity and the unity of its people,” Saniora stated.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of successor.
Numerous electoral sessions have been scheduled, all but one were postponed over a lack of quorum.
Disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.
There are several candidates but none of them is willing to make compromises that would allow lawmakers to attend a session aimed at electing a head of state.
The presidential vacuum has hindered the government's ability to tackle growing security, economic and social problems.
M.T.
D.A.
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