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Azour's supporters accuse Hezbollah of blocking democratic vote

On Wednesday, supporters of former finance minister Jihad Azour accused Hezbollah and its allies of blocking the democratic process.

Hezbollah and Amal MPs had withdrawn following the first round of electoral voting on Wednesday, breaking the quorum, after Azour failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to win in the first round.

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MPs from both camps claim 'victory' after botched presidential vote

MPs from the rival electoral camps on Wednesday claimed “victory” in a presidential election session that failed to produce a new president.

“The camp that is trying to impose its candidate garnered 51 votes, which means that there is a clear majority against the imposition process … Our rejection of imposition means that we have won,” MP Michel Mouawad of the pro-Jihad Azour camp said after the session.

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Franjieh calls for 'constructive dialogue with everyone'

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh on Wednesday thanked the 51 MPs who voted for him in the 12th presidential election session that was held earlier in the day without producing a winner.

“We also respect the opinion of the lawmakers who did not vote for me and this should push for constructive dialogue with everyone,” Franjieh added, in a tweet.

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Berri calls for dialogue, says only consensus can end vacuum

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged Wednesday for dialogue after MPs failed for the 12th time to elect a president.

Berri called on parties to stop trading blame and to stop "spinning in a vicious circle."

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Azour urges moving electoral process forward for 'good of Lebanese people'

Ex-minister and incumbent IMF official Jihad Azour on Wednesday thanked the Lebanese lawmakers who voted for him in the 12th presidential election session, which did not produce a new president.

"I hope that this development will be an incentive to converge on the need of getting Lebanon out of the crisis and move the process forward for the good of the Lebanese people," Azour said in an English-language statement.

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59 MPs vote for Azour, 51 for Franjieh amid row over 'missing' vote

Lawmakers in crisis-hit Lebanon on Wednesday failed for the 12th time to elect a new president, as bitter divisions between Hezbollah and its opponents marred the vote.

Candidates Jihad Azour and Suleiman Franjieh both failed to get across the line, with Azour garnering 59 votes and Frangieh 51 in the 128-seat parliament.

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6 'Oct. 17' MPs refuse to vote for 'sectarian parties' candidates

MPs Elias Jradeh, Halima Qaaqour and Cynthia Zarazir of the Change bloc and MPs Osama Saad, Abdul Rahman al-Bizri and Charbel Masaad of the Sidon-Jezzine bloc announced prior to Wednesday’s presidential election session that they would not vote for the candidates of the “sectarian parties.”

In a statement, the lawmakers said they would only vote for a candidate who supports the independence of the judiciary and backs holding corrupts accountable and resuming the probe into the Beirut port blast.

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Report: Macron, MBS to discuss Lebanon in Paris meeting

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will discuss with President Emmanuel Macron on Friday the Lebanese file, local media reports said Wednesday.

The meeting takes place after Lebanese MPs failed again Wednesday to elect a president amid a chaotic session that ended with a missing vote and a lack of quorum for the second round.

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Nuland says Berri promised her would try to 'keep quorum'

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland held phone talks with Speaker Nabih Berri on the eve of Lebanon’s 12th presidential election session.

“Had a constructive call with Lebanese Speaker Berri about the urgency of electing a president and enacting legislation on critically needed IMF reforms,” Nuland said in a tweet.

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Syrians conditions worsen, WFP faces 'unprecedented funding crisis'

Six months after she got the call informing her that her U.N. assistance would be cut, Najwa al-Jassem is struggling to feed her four children and pay rent for their tent in a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley.

She once received food rations and cash that covered most of their modest monthly expenses. The family now only gets the equivalent of $20 a month, which just covers the rent for their cramped tent.

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