Lebanon parliament fails to elect new president for 12th time

Beirut: The Lebanese parliament has failed to elect a new President for the republic during its 12th session, plunging the country into further political uncertainty.

In the presidential race, Sleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement who was supported by the two Shia parties Hezbollah and Amal Movement, trailed behind his main rival Jihad Azour, a former Finance Minister who was backed by the country’s two biggest Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese forces.Frangieh received 51 votes while Azour gained 59 votes.