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Lebanese presidential candidate calls on supporters to cast blank votes

Xinhua, October 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lebanese presidential candidate Suleiman Frangieh on Saturday called on the lawmakers supporting his candidacy to cast blank votes as a "protest."

His outcry came after a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri, who is one of Frangieh's supporters.

"It is a protest vote and I am not withdrawing my candidacy," said Frangieh, head of the Marada Movement.

He said the elections have become a matter of consensus rather than a battle, referring to an agreement reached among his rivals.

Earlier in the week, Saad Hariri, head of the al-Mustaqbal Movement, and Walid Jumblatt, head of the Democratic Gathering, announced that they would vote for the candidacy of Michel Aoun, head of the Free Patriotic Movement.

Lebanon has been without a president since former President Michel Suleiman ended his term on May 25, 2014. Since then, the parliament has failed to elect a president for a consecutive 45 sessions.

The Lebanese parliament will convene on Oct. 31 for the 46th electoral session. Endit