Beirut, Lebanon - December 27, 2024 Storyline: A new president of Lebanon should be elected as soon as possible to lead the country in addressing the security and economic challenges, said a member of the Lebanese Parliament. Political division in Lebanon resulted in a vacant presidential position following the end of former President Michel Aoun's term on Oct. 31, 2022. The parliament has failed to elect a president for the country in 12 electoral sessions. A caretaker government has been running the country amid the presidential vacuum. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has announced that he will convene a new session for the presidential election on January 9. Lebanon was already facing a serious economic crisis before the current round of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, suffering from banking collapse, energy shortage, and severe livelihood problems. The escalation since late September of 2024 has further aggravated Lebanon's plight. Bader believes that addressing the huge macroeconomic challenges will be an important task for the new government. Speaking of the current security situation, Bader said that Israel is still violating the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and the Lebanese people are still worried about their safety. If the new president fails to properly resolve the issues in the ceasefire agreement, he said, Lebanon may fall into crisis again. Shotlist: FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 2024: 1. National flag of Lebanon; 2. Traffic, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque of Muslims; Beirut, Lebanon - Dec 27, 2024: 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nabil Bader, member, Parliament of Lebanon: "We must seize the opportunity on January 9 to go to Parliament with determination to elect a president."; FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 2024: 4. City view; FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Nov 27, 2024: 5. Heavy traffic on road; FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Nov 27, 2024: 6. Traffic; Beirut, Lebanon - Dec 27, 2024: 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nabil Bader, member, Parliament of Lebanon: "Everyone knows that Lebanon's economy has completely collapsed. Therefore, the first step is to restore the credibility of the Lebanese banking system. Secondly, I hope that the future government will propose new laws to support investment and encourage investors to return to Lebanon, especially in the power sector and business investment area." FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 2, 2024: 8. Various of smoke rising over city; Beirut, Lebanon - Dec 27, 2024: 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nabil Bader, member, Parliament of Lebanon: "International and regional forces need to get Israel to respect the ceasefire deal and withdraw from Lebanon, and demand that Hezbollah hand over its weapons south of the Litani River. Lebanon should also discuss weapons north of the Litani River internally. These issues should be on the agenda of any future government or president, otherwise we will repeat the mistakes of the past. But Lebanese, including those living in the south, cannot afford another crisis." FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 2024: 10. City view. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]