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Lebanon president deadline looms Lebanese fail to elect president
(about 1 hour 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. Lebanese MPs have failed to convene to elect a new president as the term of the incumbent, Emile Lahoud, expires.
But the pro-Syrian opposition says it will not turn up in large enough numbers to achieve the quorum needed. Members of the Western-backed majority had hoped to hold a vote, but the pro-Syrian opposition did not allow the session to achieve the quorum needed.
The term of the incumbent, pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud, expires at midnight. The crisis has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility of rival administrations, as happened during the 15-year civil war.
The tension is palpable on the streets with the army is deployed in force and schools are closed, BBC Beirut correspondent Kim Ghattas says. Parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said the vote would be held on 30 November.
Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between the factions.
If he chooses to stay... it will be a crime against the constitution Statement from the pro-Western majority in parliament
The term of Mr Lahoud, a pro-Syrian, ends at midnight on Friday.
Members of the ruling majority urged Mr Lahoud to leave the presidential palace tonight when his term formally expires.
"If he chooses to stay... it will be a crime against the constitution which is sanctioned by law," deputy speaker of parliament, Farid Makari, said, reading a statement from the ruling majority.
The tension was palpable on the streets as the crisis over electing the president came to a head, with the army deployed in force and schools 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.
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.
Friday's parliamentary vote was 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 - could not force its preferred candidate through parliament.
KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) FridayPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf no president elected, constitution says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraBut pro-Syrian President Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7103422.stm">Views from Beirut KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) FridayPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf no president elected, constitution says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraBut pro-Syrian President Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president href="/1/hi/talking_point/7103422.stm">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.
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 efforts The issue has also turned 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 ahead of the end of Mr Lahoud's term.
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.
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.
"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.
Are you in Lebanon? What is your view of the political deadlock in your country?
Are you in Lebanon? What is your view of the political deadlock in your country?
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