On the second day, the acting head of the Government met at the headquarters of the unicameral legislature with independent lawmakers, the Strong Lebanon and Armenian blocs and the Economic and Social Council.

On Monday, Mikati met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab, before separately receiving the blocs and representatives.

Upon opening the consultations, Bou Saab called to integrate in a quick time the new Council of Ministers to complete the files related to the International Monetary Fund and keep pace with the process of demarcation of the maritime borders.

These consultations give continuity to the electoral process started on May 15 with the holding of the legislative elections and they are the prelude to the dispute for the presidential race, scheduled by year-end.

In accordance with the national pact for independence from France in 1943, Lebanon established that the president of the Republic must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the head of Parliament a Shiite, and so on with the other positions.

pgh/iff/acl/yma