Speaker Nabih Berri set June 9 as a new session to elect a president, reported the National News Agency on Monday.

This will mark the sixth presidential elections session.

The rival political arch-foes are mulling their participation in cabinet and parliamentary sessions after the expected vacuum at the helm of the country's top Christian post.

Al-Marada movement, a March 8 alliance affiliated party, rejected to join an expected decision by the Free Patriotic Movement to boycott the cabinet sessions.

UK Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher noted on Friday that failure to elect a president before the term of President Michel Suleiman ends will be “setback” for Lebanon.

He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “It is clear, sadly, that time is running out for parliament to elect a new president on time.”

Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Thursday the resistance that maintained the unity of Lebanon's land, people and institutions, deeming it as a “crucial need.”

“The Resistance is a necessity as long as part of our land remains under occupation and due to the ongoing Israeli violations,” Berri said in a statement issued on the occasion of the Resistance and Liberation day that commemorates the Israeli army’s withdrawal from south Lebanon in May 2000.

Speaker Nabih Berri said Thursday's parliamentary session to elect a new head of state will be open-ended until the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's term on May 25.

“The session will be open-ended until there is quorum,” Berri told lawmakers after he adjourned a legislative session on Wednesday aimed at discussing a plea made by Suleiman to resolve the presidential deadlock.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Wednesday that consultations over the election of a new head of state will remain a local affair even after the constitutional deadline ends on May 25.

“I have asked ambassadors whom I have met not to interfere in the details of this matter,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi noted on Tuesday positive signs that the presidential elections will be held, reported the National News Agency.

He said: “We hope the Lebanese parties will reach an agreement over a presidential candidate and elect him as soon as possible.”

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale stressed on Monday the need for Lebanese officials to hold the presidential elections and avoid vacuum in the country's top post.

He said after holding separate meetings President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri: “We urge Lebanon’s leaders to conduct the presidential election on time and in accordance with the constitution.”

Speaker Nabih Berri called on Monday for a parliamentary session to tackle a message sent by President Michel Suleiman to the parliament regarding the presidential elections.

The session is set to be held on Wednesday at noon.

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed readiness to call for parliamentary session set to elect a new president ahead of Thursday if positive indications loomed regarding an agreement over the name of the candidate.

“I will also call for consecutive sessions after the constitutional deadline (to elect a new president) on May 25,” Berri told several local newspapers published on Monday.