Jumblat seeks consensus with Berri over presidential file

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has tried to reach a presidential consensus with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

"We're trying to cross some barriers in order to reach a consensus that would give us hope that a president will be elected," Jumblat said after meeting Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

He added that "we can't keep going around in circles" by casting blank votes and failing to elect a president.

Jumblat went on to say that reforms cannot be made without electing a president, as he decried the economic situation and the collapse of the Lebanese pound.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since Michel Aoun's mandate expired last year, with a caretaker cabinet overseeing the responsibilities of government amid a financial collapse that is stretching into its third year.

The Lebanese pound plunged to a new low against the U.S. dollar after parliament failed for an 11th time to agree on a new president.

Two weeks ago, Change lawmakers Najat Saliba and Melhem Khalaf started a sit-in inside the parliament to protest the deadlock, vowing to remain inside until fellow MPs elect a new president.