Lebanese president blocks expected extension of parliament's term

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Aoun suspended a parliamentary session for a month on Wednesday, temporarily blocking proposed plans to extend parliament's term for the third time in a row since 2013.

Parliament was expected to vote on Thursday to extend its own mandate until 2018 without an election, officials said. 

Current lawmakers were elected in 2009 for what was meant to be four-year terms.

In a televised address to the nation, Aoun said the delay was aimed at giving politicians more time to reach an agreement on a new electoral law.