Geagea: MPs who won't vote for Azour or Franjieh would be choosing vacuum

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Friday those who don't want to vote for one of the two competing presidential candidates in June 14 session of participating in keeping the presidential vacuum.

"Those who want real elections must choose one of the two candidates, otherwise they'd be voting for presidential vacuum," Geagea said.

He added that the LF party has nominated former minister Jihad Azour, who is acceptable to some extent, to reach a possible solution and avoid vacuum.

Lebanon, mired in a crippling economic crisis since late 2019, has been without a president for more than seven months.

The international community has urged Lebanese officials to avoid a prolonged presidential vacuum and enact key reforms required to unlock much-needed IMF loans.

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a new vote on June 14, after 11 failed attempts to elect a new head of state.

On Sunday, 32 Christian and independent legislators endorsed Azour after weeks of negotiations. The Free Patriotic Movement and the Democratic Gathering bloc also said they would support Azour, while Hezbollah and Amal renewed their support for Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.

Some change and independent MPs said they wouldn't vote for any of the two.