Beirut-Saba:
The new Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, began binding parliamentary consultations today, Monday, to choose the prime minister-designate to form the Lebanese government.
Al-Mayadeen reported that Aoun's consultations began at the presidential palace east of the capital, Beirut.
Aoun will receive independent representatives and parliamentary blocs separately today, then announce the name of the prime minister who received the largest number of nominations.
The two members of the Lebanese parliament, Fouad Makhzoumi and Ibrahim Mneimneh, withdrew from running for prime minister in favor of Nawaf Salam.
The outgoing prime minister, Najib Mikati, and Judge Nawaf Salam are competing for the premiership.
Parliamentary consultations to select the Prime Minister are a constitutional process conducted by the President of the country in accordance with Article 53 of the Constitution.