Lebanese soldiers march before the president, prime minister, and parliament speaker during a military parade commemorating the 76th anniversary of Lebanese independence from France at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Yarze near the presidential palace of Baabda southeast of the capital on Nov. 22, 2019. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — The usual military parade to mark Lebanon's Independence Day on Nov. 22 will not take place Tuesday because of the current presidential vacancy, an Army spokesperson told L'Orient Today.
Former president Michel Aoun's term ended on Oct. 31 without Parliament having elected a successor.
Meanwhile, the cabinet is still acting in caretaker mode as a new one hasn't been formed since the legislative elections held in May.
The previous presidential vacancy lasted 29 months following former president Michel Suleiman’s term ending in May 2014. Aoun was finally elected Lebanon's 13th president in Oct. 2016.
During the previous vacancy, the military parade was canceled for two years in a row.
Last Thursday, the Parliament failed for the sixth time to elect a new president, due to a lack of political agreement, as is customary.