Lebanese security forces have tightened security in downtown Beirut where legislators are to convene to elect a new president.



Christian leader Michel Aoun, a former army commander and strong ally of the militant Hezbollah group, is widely expected to win a two-third majority vote to become Lebanon's 13th president at Monday's session of Parliament.



For over two years, Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman stepped down at the end of his term in May 2014. Since then, 45 sessions to elect a new leader have failed because of a lack of quorum.



Ahead of the vote, cars have been banned from entering most of central Beirut and metal detectors are set up in the streets around Parliament. Army helicopters are flying over the city.