Voting has started to elect the new parliament speaker and his deputy.

⋯ Kataeb and Lebanese Forces party protested after the parliament didn't read their populist & invalidated votes out loud, as per usual.

⋯ Lebanese Forces party MPs wrote on their papers: "Strong Republic". Votes are invalid

At least 4 papers had the name of Lokman Slim, a pro-Israel political activist who called for the genocide of Shia in Lebanon. This was likely by the Kataeb party. Votes are invalid

⋯ Officially, Nabih Berri is the new parliament speaker with 65 votes.

The opposition and the traditional 14-March allies were un-united and chose invalid votes for populism.

⋯ Berri: The candidates for the position of Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives are Elias Bou Saab and Ghassan Skaff.

To win they require a 65 vote majority in the first and second sessions. While relative majority in the third.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations:

"Any assistance that Lebanon requests [to overcome famine, poverty, and collapse] from the United Nations must be conditioned on the disarmament of Hezbullah."

Hebrew Media: Sirens heard in Tel Aviv are due to a technical error at the IDF HQ, the occupation spox claims.

The start of the second round to elect a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, after MP Elias Bousaab obtained 64 votes while Representative Ghassan Skaf received 49 votes, with 13 blank papers and 2 null

For example, PSP's 9 MPs voted for Berri but won't vote for Saab

⋯ Representative Hassan Fadlallah: “We are not on the street, we are talking in the House of Representatives, we are talking about a law and a constitution.”

This was over a dispute about counting null votes.

⋯ Elias Bou Saab elected Lebanon deputy parliament speaker with 65 votes. He is representing FPM, and backed by Hezbullah.

George Skaff, close to Walid Joumblat, got 60 votes.

⋯ FPM's candidate Alain Aoun wins the maronite seat for the secretary of the parliament.
Despite not having the parliament majority anymore, Hezbullah and its allies retained their official representation.

⋯ An interesting outcome today was the opposition's 15 MPs voting for Ghasan Skaf for deputy parliament speaker.

Ghasan Skaff is Walid Joumblat's choice. Walid Joumblat is one the pillars of the Lebanese civil war and corruption figures after it.

⋯ Amal's Nabih Berri and Hezbullah's Mohamed Raad hugging with a smile in a show of satisfaction in today's results.

Israeli War Minister Benny Gantz from Cyprus, during a drill on occupying Lebanon: "This is the culmination of one of the biggest exercises we've ever held - the army is preparing continuously for various operations, on various fronts, and will draw a severe blow to anyone."

3,000 Ethiopian Jews will emigrate soon to Israel, according to the Israeli government.

Earlier today several sonic booms were heard over the Lebanese coast, caused by Israeli jets.

Currently Israeli helicopters are circulating over the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

Shooting and faint explosions can be heard in Beirut, likely celebrations for the re-election of Nabih Berri for parliament speaker.

Israeli jets are reported to have entered the Lebanese airspace.

Shooting, in celebration, can also be heard in south Lebanon.