Beirut: Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday stressed the importance of MPs electing a new president during the parliamentary session scheduled for January 9. Mikati expressed confidence and anticipation regarding the upcoming date, stating, "We also hope that Lebanon will have a new president, one that unites and protects." According to Kuwait News Agency, the parliamentary session date was set by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who announced January 9th as the day for electing a new head of state. The election of a new president is a pressing issue in Lebanon, as the position has remained vacant due to ongoing political disputes. During a recent cabinet session, Mikati also addressed the ongoing cease-fire violations by Israeli occupation forces. Despite the truce being enforced on November 27th, with US-French sponsorship, Mikati revealed that there have been 60 breaches by Israeli forces. The military operations preceding the cease-fire resulted in thousands of casualties and wide spread devastation across villages and towns.
