Lebanese parliament plans session to elect president

Lebanon's parliament will convene on January 9 to elect a president after a two-year vacuum, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said on Thursday. 

According to the state news agency NNA, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri made the announcement during a parliamentary session on Thursday.

“It will be fruitful, and we have given a one-month period to reach consensus among us," Berri said. 

The head of state position has been vacant for two year after Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, leaving the country to be governed by a caretaker government with limited powers. The vacuum has exacerbated the already dire economic situation of the country.

Lebanon's parliament has fruitlessly held 12 session to elect a president since 2022. Political divisions within parliament have led to the deadlock.

A candidate needs two-thirds of the vote, or 86 lawmakers, to make it through the first stage. An absolute majority is needed for subsequent rounds. 

The announcement comes a day after a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect. The situation in the southern Lebanon remains volatile despite the truce, with Hezbollah and Israel saying the other violated the agreement.

The Israeli military said its air force struck a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon on Thursday.

Israel said it also opened fire on Thursday towards what it called "suspects" with vehicles arriving at several areas in the southern zone, saying it was a breach of the truce with Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which came into effect on Wednesday.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah in turn accused Israel of violating the deal.

"The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages," Fadlallah told reporters, adding "there are violations today by Israel, even in this form".

The Lebanese army later accused Israel of violating the ceasefire several times on Wednesday and Thursday.