The Lebanese parliament failed Wednesday to elect a new president in the first round of voting to replace incumbent President Michel Suleiman whose term ends on May 25.

The 128-member parliament voted at noon on Wednesday with the presence of 124 lawmakers.

Samir Geagea, who leads the March 14 Lebanese Forces, obtained 48 votes, while centrist Democratic Gathering lawmaker Henri Helou got 16 votes, and former President Amine Gemayel one vote. None cleared the required two-third majority of 86 votes for outright win in the first round.

The second round of voting has been scheduled for May 30, and the candidate with a simple majority will be declared the winner.