After Lebanon’s 11th unsuccessful session to elect a president last week, two independent lawmakers launched a sit-in to spur their colleagues to action.
BEIRUT — After Lebanon’s 11th unsuccessful session to elect a president last week, two independent lawmakers simply refused to go home, staging a sit-in at parliament to spur their colleagues to action as the country slips further into economic ruin.Parliamentarians Najat Saliba and Melhem Khalaf have been camped out in the parliamentary building in the capital Beirut since Jan. 19, sending an open call to other members of parliament to join them, meet quorum and finally elect a new president.
The country’s electricity shortage is one of many concurrent calamities that have engulfed Lebanon since 2019, when tens of thousands of people filled the streets to protest a spiraling financial crisis and the endemic corruption that has long divided the country into haves and have-nots — a divide that has only grown in the years since.
“We have no power to do anything but watch the people suffer and run after their daily, human, basic rights,” Saliba said. “With a vacuum like this, people are left alone to fend for themselves. This is the worst disastrous situation you can ask for.” The term of Lebanon’s previous president, Michel Aoun, finished at the end of October, and many worry that the post will remain vacant indefinitely.
“We cannot wait,” Saliba said, adding that constitutionally, parliamentarians can gather at any moment to vote, without waiting for a call by the speaker of the parliament. But the majority of MPs have steered clear of the hall.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
11th Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje Returns in FebruaryAnnual event kicks off on February 5 and then culminates with a parade and festival
Leer más »
US reroutes $72M in aid for wages for Lebanese army, policeBEIRUT (AP) — The United States is rerouting $72 million of America's assistance to Lebanon to help the country's cash-strapped government boost wages of its soldiers and police officers, the U.S. ambassador said Wednesday.
Leer más »
Schiff announces campaign for US SenateSchiff, 62, is in his 11th term in the House of Representatives. He was first elected to Congress in 2000.
Leer más »
Sixers center Joel Embiid not among starters for NBA All-Star GameEmbiid had been an All-Star starter for five straight seasons. Guard James Harden also was not included but figures to make his 11th straight All-Star team as a reserve.
Leer más »
USD/CAD sticks to gains around 1.3400, upside potential seems limited ahead of US GDPThe USD/CAD pair attracts some buying for the second straight day on Thursday and sticks to its modest intraday gains through the early European sessi
Leer más »