Former warlord Nabih Berri, who heads the Amal movement which once fought the Israeli occupation of south Lebanon, was re-elected parliament speaker for a third consecutive term on Monday, reported AFP.
Berri, who was the sole candidate for the post, won 124 votes, with two blanks, from the 126 present MPs at the inaugural session of Lebanon's new parliament, said the agency.
The parliament, including 47 new MPs, is divided equally among Christians and Muslims.
In line with tradition, the oldest member of the parliament, 89-year-old Christian Maronite Kabalan Issa al-Khoury, inaugurated the session with a brief speech.
On the eve of the parliament's inauguration, the political scene was buzzing with consultations as each bloc sought to close ranks on issues related to the legislature and the mandatory consultations with president Emile Lahoud, for designating a successor to prime minister, Salim Hoss, said the Daily Star.
In addition to the election of the speaker and deputies, the House will elect two secretaries and three rapporteurs, said the daily.
AFP said that the session was also attended by several ambassadors, including those of the United States, France, Italy and Britain - (Several Sources)
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