Lebanon’s president quits at end of term without being replaced

Lebanese President Michel Aoun delivers a speech to his supporters gathered outside the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon (Bilal Hussein/PA)

President Michel Aoun left Lebanon’s presidential palace, marking the end of his six-year term without a replacement, leaving the small nation in a political vacuum that is likely to worsen its historic economic meltdown.

As Mr Aoun’s term ends, the country is being run by a caretaker government after prime minister-designate Najib Mikati failed to form a new Cabinet following May 15 parliamentary elections.