Lebanese parliament fails to elect president for 4th time

Beirut, May 15 (IANS) The Lebanese parliament failed Thursday for the fourth consecutive time to elect a new president to replace incumbent Michel Suleiman, whose term ends May 25.

The 128-seat parliament requires two-thirds of its members - 85 - for a quorum, but on Thursday only 72 members were present, prompting Speaker Nabih Berri to call for a new session May 22, Xinhua reported.

According to the constitution, the president-elect should be Christian Maronite and be elected two months before the incumbent's term ends. The president serves a six-year term and is not eligible for re-election.

Parliament convened for the first vote April 23 with 124 members present, but no candidate secured enough votes for an outright win.