Lebanon is braced on Wednesday for parliamentary session to elect new president, with expectations say no candidate will be able to gain the needed two-thirds of votes to become the next head of state.

Lebanon is braced on Wednesday for parliamentary session to elect new president, with expectations say no candidate will be able to gain the needed two-thirds of votes to become the next head of state.

The Head of Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, who was known in the Lebanese civil war as a war criminal, is a candidate for the presidency.

However he is expected to get the votes of maximum 51 lawmakers, well below the 86 votes of the 128-member parliament.

Geagea was imprisoned after being tried for ordering four political assassinations, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami in 1987, and the unsuccessful attempted assassination of Defense Minister Michel Murr in 1991.

On Tuesday March 14 alliance announced official backing Geagea.

Also on Tuesday National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblat said his parliamentary has nominated Aley MP Henri Helou, who is expected to garner 13 to 16 votes.

For its part, March 8 blocs, which comprise blocs of Hezbollah, Amal movement, Free Patriotic movement and other allies, did not name their own candidate, and are to cast blank ballots during Wednesday’s session.