US State Department criticizes MPs who left Wednesday's electoral session

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has voiced concern over Lebanese lawmakers who left on Wednesday a presidential election session to deny a quorum.

Miller said that Lebanese "urgently need a president who can enact reforms" to unlock International Monetary Fund support.

"For this to happen, Parliament must continue holding electoral sessions in the coming days and weeks to get that job done," Miller said.

The international community has urged politicians to elect a consensus presidential candidate who can help the country enact reforms required to unlock billions of dollars in loans from abroad.

On Wednesday parliament failed for a 12th time to elect a new president. All 128 lawmakers showed up for the election, but Hezbollah and Amal MPs left the chamber after placing their ballots in the box and quorum was lost before a second round of voting.