Lebanon parliament to meet on January 9 to elect president

Lebanon’s parliament is scheduled to meet on January 9 to elect a new president, aiming to end over two years without a head of state, according to official media reports on Thursday, the day after the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire took effect.

According to details “Speaker Nabih Berri called a parliamentary session for the election of a president on January 9.”

Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, as neither of the two major political blocs—Hezbollah and its rivals—holds the necessary majority to elect a new leader, and they have been unable to reach a consensus.

Following the ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope that this could mark a fresh start for Lebanon and lead to the election of a president in the coming days.

Speaker Berri, who facilitated ceasefire talks for Hezbollah, also called on Wednesday for the swift election of a president.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated earlier this month that after the war, Hezbollah would “play a significant role in electing a president.”

According to Lebanese political tradition, the presidency is held by a Maronite Christian, the premiership by a Sunni Muslim, and the position of parliament speaker by a Shiite Muslim.