Lebanese President Michel Aoun will begin consultations with MPs on Thursday to pick the next prime minister, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said.

Aoun is obliged to designate as prime minister the candidate with the greatest support among MPs. Outgoing Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri is widely expected to be selected again.

Berri made the announcement after meeting Aoun at the presidential palace, following the first session of the new parliament during which Berri was elected as speaker for the sixth time in a row.