President of the Republic's wing being closed down on Nov. 1 after Michel Aoun's departure at the end of his term on Oct. 31. (Credit: @LBpresidency/ Twitter)
BEIRUT — Baabda Palace closed the wings of the President of the Republic, lowered the Lebanese flag, and the official portraits of President Michel Aoun were taken down two days after Aoun's departure, the Lebanese presidency tweeted Tuesday.
Aoun's term officially ended on Oct. 31 at midnight.
(Credit: Twitter/@LBpresidency)
“Today is a sad day and we hope for the election of a president at the first opportunity,” said Director-General of the Presidency Antoine Choucair during a press briefing. He assured the directory "will remain in place and [still] has a role to play."
The official Twitter and Instagram accounts of the Lebanese Presidency changed their profile pictures from the official photo of Aoun to the presidency's logo that bears a Cedar tree.
The country currently faces an unprecedented double executive vacancy now that president Aoun's term has officially ended and the cabinet remains in a caretaker capacity.
Before Aoun came to power in October 2016, Lebanon experienced a presidential vacancy for almost two and a half years.
The president’s final speech called on caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to “recuse himself,” after Aoun attempted to dissolve the current government in a letter to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The caretaker premier denied the legal basis of the letter, claiming that his government "will continue to carry out all its constitutional duties.”
According to experts, Aoun's latest move is purely procedural and has no legal basis. Still, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri summoned the country's MPs to a session on Thursday.
European Union Head of Diplomacy Josep Borrell issued a statement Tuesday calling on Lebanese authorities to elect a new president and form a government "with the utmost urgency."
France and Iran have also urged Lebanon to form a government quickly.