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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lebanon MPs to vote in president | Lebanon MPs to vote in president |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The parliament in Lebanon is expected to elect a new president and end a deadlock which has left the country without a head of state since November. | The parliament in Lebanon is expected to elect a new president and end a deadlock which has left the country without a head of state since November. |
| All sides have agreed to vote for army commander General Michel Suleiman as part of a deal announced on Wednesday. | All sides have agreed to vote for army commander General Michel Suleiman as part of a deal announced on Wednesday. |
| In the weeks before the deal in Qatar, Lebanon saw some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. | In the weeks before the deal in Qatar, Lebanon saw some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground. |
| Lebanon has been in political crisis since late 2006 when the pro-Syrian opposition - led by the Hezbollah political and militant group - left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions. | Lebanon has been in political crisis since late 2006 when the pro-Syrian opposition - led by the Hezbollah political and militant group - left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions. |
| The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead. | The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead. |
| The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition. | The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition. |
| Outside influence | Outside influence |
| The Western-backed government and the opposition arrived at a deal on Wednesday after days of talks in Qatar. | The Western-backed government and the opposition arrived at a deal on Wednesday after days of talks in Qatar. |
| DOHA AGREEMENT Western-backed ruling majority to get 16 cabinet seats and choose prime ministerSyrian-backed opposition to get 11 cabinet seats and veto powerThree cabinet seats to be nominated by presidentThe use of weapons in internal conflicts is to be bannedOpposition protest camps in central Beirut are to be removed New law to divide country into smaller electoral districts Q&A: Lebanon deal href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7412170.stm">Profile: Michel Suleiman | |
| Under the agreement, the opposition will have the power of veto in a new cabinet of national unity. | Under the agreement, the opposition will have the power of veto in a new cabinet of national unity. |
| Our correspondent says it will be an extraordinary election - the Emir of Qatar who helped mediate the deal will be there, as well as a US congressional delegation and the foreign ministers of Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. | Our correspondent says it will be an extraordinary election - the Emir of Qatar who helped mediate the deal will be there, as well as a US congressional delegation and the foreign ministers of Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. |
| He says these outside powers have all been involved in the proxy struggle in Lebanon and now they seem to be coming together to give their blessing to the agreement which ends 18 months of deadlock and rising tensions. | He says these outside powers have all been involved in the proxy struggle in Lebanon and now they seem to be coming together to give their blessing to the agreement which ends 18 months of deadlock and rising tensions. |
| For months, Gen Suleiman has been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreements have repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him. | For months, Gen Suleiman has been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreements have repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him. |
| Our correspondent says his election will not mean the military is taking over - it is more a case of feuding politicians being unable to agree on a Maronite Christian, which the president has to be, who is above the fray and acceptable all round. | Our correspondent says his election will not mean the military is taking over - it is more a case of feuding politicians being unable to agree on a Maronite Christian, which the president has to be, who is above the fray and acceptable all round. |
| After the election, the president will name a prime minister who will have to put together a unity government. The composition has been agreed, but our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. | After the election, the president will name a prime minister who will have to put together a unity government. The composition has been agreed, but our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. |