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| Lebanon MPs elect new president | Lebanon MPs elect new president |
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| Lebanon's parliament has elected army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November. | Lebanon's parliament has elected army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November. |
| The vote followed a deal last week to end some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. | The vote followed a deal last week to end some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. |
| Correspondents say Gen Suleiman, who was standing unopposed, is seen as neutral by Lebanon's rival factions. | Correspondents say Gen Suleiman, who was standing unopposed, is seen as neutral by Lebanon's rival factions. |
| Applause broke out in the chamber as speaker Nabih Berri announced Gen Suleiman had won 118 votes out of 127. | Applause broke out in the chamber as speaker Nabih Berri announced Gen Suleiman had won 118 votes out of 127. |
| Trumpets played and supporters waved flags, while celebratory gunfire resounded around the capital, Beirut. | Trumpets played and supporters waved flags, while celebratory gunfire resounded around the capital, Beirut. |
| As Mr Suleiman was sworn in, he said the day marked "the beginning of a nation that is starting to wake up from self-destruction". | As Mr Suleiman was sworn in, he said the day marked "the beginning of a nation that is starting to wake up from self-destruction". |
| "I call upon you all, political forces, citizens, to start a new phase which is called 'Lebanon and the Lebanese people', in which we are committed to the national project, with a civilised mindset." | "I call upon you all, political forces, citizens, to start a new phase which is called 'Lebanon and the Lebanese people', in which we are committed to the national project, with a civilised mindset." |
| Security was tight ahead of the vote, which followed 19 failed attempts to elect a president over recent months. | Security was tight ahead of the vote, which followed 19 failed attempts to elect a president over recent months. |
| 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. | 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 influence | Outside influence |
| In a speech seen as reaching out to both sides of Lebanon's political divide, Gen Suleiman said the country should cooperate with UN efforts to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | In a speech seen as reaching out to both sides of Lebanon's political divide, Gen Suleiman said the country should cooperate with UN efforts to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. |
| But he also called for "brotherly ties" with Syria and called for a "national strategic stance" so that nation could "benefit from the lessons of the resistance [Hezbollah] to serve the nation". | But he also called for "brotherly ties" with Syria and called for a "national strategic stance" so that nation could "benefit from the lessons of the resistance [Hezbollah] to serve the nation". |
| The outgoing Western-backed governing coalition had pushed for the UN tribunal and blamed Syria for Hariri's death, while correspondents say the role of Hezbollah as an armed movement is one of the most sensitive facing the new president. | The outgoing Western-backed governing coalition had pushed for the UN tribunal and blamed Syria for Hariri's death, while correspondents say the role of Hezbollah as an armed movement is one of the most sensitive facing the new president. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the first hurdle facing the new president is to form a national unity government, as agreed in last week's deal, after days of talks in Qatar. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the first hurdle facing the new president is to form a national unity government, as agreed in last week's deal, 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 Profile: Michel SuleimanTough task for new presidentQ&A: Lebanon dealSend 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 SuleimanTough task for new presidentQ&A: Lebanon dealSend your comments |
| While the make-up of the government has been agreed, our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. | While the make-up of the government has been agreed, our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. |
| 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. |
| US President George Bush welcomed Gen Suleiman's election and said he looked forward to an "era of political reconciliation". | US President George Bush welcomed Gen Suleiman's election and said he looked forward to an "era of political reconciliation". |
| "I am confident that Lebanon has chosen a leader committed to protecting its sovereignty, extending the government's authority over all of Lebanon, and upholding Lebanon's international obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions," Mr Bush said in statement. | "I am confident that Lebanon has chosen a leader committed to protecting its sovereignty, extending the government's authority over all of Lebanon, and upholding Lebanon's international obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions," Mr Bush said in statement. |
| 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. | 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY We are hopeful that the leadership of President Suleiman will bring lasting peace to Lebanon Vasudev Das, USSend us your comments | |
| 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Under the constitution, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is expected to head a caretaker government until a new prime minister is appointed. | Under the constitution, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is expected to head a caretaker government until a new prime minister is appointed. |