Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on Wednesday for the election of a president "no later than June 15".
He said it was unacceptable for the presidency to remain vacant as the country now has to agree on a new Central Bank governor and army commander. The president must has a say over these appointments, he added.
Berri made his statements during his meeting with a delegation from "Independents for Lebanon", which consists of independent Christian figures.
"We must begin by electing a president, no later than June 15, because no one can predict what might happen if the presidential vacuum persists," he urged.
He remarked that the regional and international climate "is encouraging" for the presidential elections, according to a statement from his press office.
He stressed that while the Arab region is heading toward understandings, it is unacceptable that Lebanon chooses to let go of its unity, rights, and constants.
Moreover, the speaker reiterated that sectarianism, which is rooted in all aspects of politics and the state, is the main problem in Lebanon, stressing that the implementation of the Taif Agreement paves the way for the country to gradually become a secular state.
Berri called for the establishment of a secular state and adoption of a proportional parliamentary electoral law based on expanded districts.
He also demanded the establishment of a senate, expanded decentralization, and the introduction of a quota for the election of women to parliament.
Berri further hoped that the repercussions of a vacancy in the position of central bank governor would prompt all parties to facilitate the election of a new president as soon as possible.
Outgoing governor Riad Salameh’s term ends in June.
