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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Lebanese fail to elect president | Lebanese fail to elect president |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Lebanese MPs have failed to convene to elect a new president as the term of the incumbent, Emile Lahoud, expires. | Lebanese MPs have failed to convene to elect a new president as the term of the incumbent, Emile Lahoud, expires. |
| 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. | 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 crisis has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility of rival administrations, as happened during the 15-year civil war. | The crisis has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility of rival administrations, as happened during the 15-year civil war. |
| Parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said the vote would be held on 30 November. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. |
| No compromise | No compromise |
| The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western 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 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 Views from Beirut |
| 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. |
| The issue has also turned into a regional and international affair. | The issue has also turned 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 ahead of the end of Mr Lahoud's term. |
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? |