Mr Berri has not set a date for a new electoral session, extending Lebanon’s political stasis and economic meltdown which began in 2019. He called on MPs to stop “prolonging the presidential vacuum” and “engage in dialogue [to achieve] a common vision”.
On Tuesday, senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland tweeted that she had had a “constructive” phone call with Mr Berri who promised to retain a quorum and hold votes “as long as it takes to get the job done”. The US has threatened to sanction politicians who obstructed the election. Mr Azour – an economist who advises the International Monetary Fund – was chosen by the largest Maronite Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement and Lebanese Forces. While they regarded him as a “consensus” candidate, he is seen as “confrontational” by Hizbullah and Amal.