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Lebanon president deadline looms Lebanon president deadline looms
(9 minutes later)
Members of the Western-backed majority in the Lebanese parliament are due to convene as the crisis over the election of a new president comes to a head.Members of the Western-backed majority in the Lebanese parliament are due to convene as the crisis over the election of a new president comes to a head.
But the opposition has said it will not turn up in large enough numbers to achieve the quorum needed for a vote. But the pro-Syrian opposition says it will not turn up in large enough numbers to achieve the quorum needed.
The term of the incumbent, pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud, expires at midnight.The term of the incumbent, pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud, expires at midnight.
Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between Western-backed and pro-Syrian factions. The tension is palpable on the streets with the army is deployed in force and schools are closed, BBC Beirut correspondent Kim Ghattas says.
With the presidential election going down to the wire, the tension is palpable on the streets with the army is deployed in force and schools are closed, BBC Beirut correspondent Kim Ghattas says.
Check points have also been set up and the ministry of interior has suspended all firearm permits until further notice.Check points have also been set up and the ministry of interior has suspended all firearm permits until further notice.
Friday's parliamentary vote in scheduled for 1300 local time (1100 GMT). Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between Western-backed and pro-Syrian factions.
The failure to find a compromise has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility that the opposition could create a rival administration, as happened during the 15-year civil war.The failure to find a compromise has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility that the opposition could create a rival administration, as happened during the 15-year civil war.
Friday's parliamentary vote in scheduled for 1300 local time (1100 GMT).
No compromiseNo compromise
The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western Syrian ruling bloc - with its slim majority - cannot force its preferred candidate through parliament.The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western Syrian ruling bloc - with its slim majority - cannot force its preferred candidate through parliament.
KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) FridayPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf no president elected, constitutions says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraPresident Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president Views from Beirut KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) FridayPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf no president elected, constitutions says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraPresident Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president Views from Beirut
Our correspondent says that a last minute deal is still possible and the ruling bloc may vote with a simple majority to elect a president - this would be unconstitutional and would infuriate the opposition.Our correspondent says that a last minute deal is still possible and the ruling bloc may vote with a simple majority to elect a president - this would be unconstitutional and would infuriate the opposition.
According to Article 62 of the Lebanese constitution, if no candidate is elected before Mr Lahoud's mandate expires, his powers are automatically transferred to the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.According to Article 62 of the Lebanese constitution, if no candidate is elected before Mr Lahoud's mandate expires, his powers are automatically transferred to the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
However, President Lahoud has vowed not to hand over power to Mr Siniora, and said he would name army chief General Michel Suleiman as his provisional successor instead.However, President Lahoud has vowed not to hand over power to Mr Siniora, and said he would name army chief General Michel Suleiman as his provisional successor instead.
The political deadlock has already led to the vote being postponed four times since 25 September.The political deadlock has already led to the vote being postponed four times since 25 September.
International effortsInternational efforts
The issue is also turning into a regional and international affair.The issue is also turning into a regional and international affair.
The US, Russia, Syria and Iran are all intensely involved and there has been a lot of diplomatic shuttling between Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and Paris.The US, Russia, Syria and Iran are all intensely involved and there has been a lot of diplomatic shuttling between Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and Paris.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned several of the country's top leaders on Monday.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned several of the country's top leaders on Monday.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been trying to broker a solution but has now left Beirut, said despite complications "a miracle is still possible".French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been trying to broker a solution but has now left Beirut, said despite complications "a miracle is still possible".
But his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema, was pessimistic on the eve of Friday's deadline.But his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema, was pessimistic on the eve of Friday's deadline.
"Tomorrow, I don't believe there will be an election and this will create difficult conditions," he said."Tomorrow, I don't believe there will be an election and this will create difficult conditions," he said.
The French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers have spent several days in Lebanon, meeting rival groups in an attempt to break the deadlock.The French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers have spent several days in Lebanon, meeting rival groups in an attempt to break the deadlock.