This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7418953.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Lebanon MPs to vote on president Lebanon MPs elect new 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. Lebanon's parliament has elected army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November.
All sides have agreed to vote for army commander General Michel Suleiman as part of a deal announced on Wednesday. All sides had agreed to back Gen Suleiman as part of a deal reached on Wednesday to end 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. Security was tight for the vote, while flags and posters welcoming the new leader adorned the capital, Beirut.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground. Nineteen previous attempts to elect a president had failed.
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 faced 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 influenceOutside 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 href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7412543.stm">Q&A: Lebanon deal class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7412170.stm">Profile: Michel SuleimanSend your comments 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 Profile: Michel Suleiman class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7419322.stm">Tough task for new president class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7412543.stm">Q&A: Lebanon deal class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4823&edition=1">Send your comments
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. The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground.
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. Among 200 guests at the parliamentary vote were the Emir of Qatar who helped mediate the deal, as well as a US congressional delegation and the foreign ministers of Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia.
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 correspondents says these outside powers have all been involved in the proxy struggle in Lebanon, but now seem to be coming together to give their blessing to the agreement which ends 18 months of deadlock and rising tensions.
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. For months, Gen Suleiman had been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreements had repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him.
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. Our correspondent says his election does 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 is expected to 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.