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Lebanon leader issues army order Lebanon in 'emergency' confusion
(30 minutes later)
Outgoing Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has instructed the army to take control of security after the country's politicians failed to find a successor. Lebanon's prime minister has rejected a move by the country's president to hand over security to the army.
Mr Lahoud's presidency ends at midnight (2200 GMT). He said conditions existed that may lead to a state of emergency. President Emile Lahoud is due to leave office at midnight (2200 GMT) and politicians have not found a successor.
A vote for a new president failed after the pro-Syrian opposition did not allow the necessary quorum to be achieved. The pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud, who refuses to recognise Fouad Siniora's government, has effectively called for a state of emergency, analysts say.
A spokesman for PM Fouad Siniora rejected Mr Lahoud's security move, saying it was unconstitutional. Under the constitution, the pro-Western Mr Siniora and his cabinet should take over control as the presidency ends.
Mr Lahoud himself regards the government of Mr Siniora as unconstitutional. The US has urged all parties to remain calm and said the Lebanese cabinet should "temporarily assume executive powers and responsibilities until a new president is elected".
Order rejected Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between the factions.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says the statement read out by Mr Lahoud's spokesman, Mr Shalala, was convoluted. A vote for a new president failed on Friday after the pro-Syrian opposition did not allow the necessary quorum to be achieved.
'Not valid'
A few hours before his term was due to end, Mr Lahoud issued a statement via a spokesman, Rafiq Shalala, that the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says was long and convoluted.
It said the army would have responsibility for maintaining order throughout the country.It said the army would have responsibility for maintaining order throughout the country.
"There are conditions and risks on the ground that could lead to a state of emergency," Mr Shalala said."There are conditions and risks on the ground that could lead to a state of emergency," Mr Shalala said.
KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) Friday but not held. Speaker sets vote for 30 NovemberPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf the presidency become vacant, 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) Friday but not held. Speaker sets vote for 30 NovemberPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf the presidency become vacant, constitution says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraBut pro-Syrian President Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president Views from Beirut
However, a spokesman for Mr Siniora told AFP news agency: "The statement issued by the general directorate of the president of the republic is not valid and is unconstitutional. It is as if the statement was never issued." Analysts said this amounted to a call for a state of emergency.
Under the constitution, Mr Siniora and his cabinet should assume control from the pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud as his term ends. However, Mr Lahoud cannot call a state of emergency without the backing of the government - which he does not recognise.
However, Mr Shalala said the army would "submit the measures it takes to the cabinet once there is one that is constitutional". Mr Shalala said the army would "submit the measures it takes to the cabinet once there is one that is constitutional".
Our correspondent says Mr Lahoud cannot call a state of emergency without the backing of the government - which he does not recognise. A spokesman for Mr Siniora told AFP news agency: "The statement issued by the general directorate of the president of the republic is not valid and is unconstitutional. It is as if the statement was never issued."
She says this appears to be the ultimate political limbo, with the rival parties even in disagreement over whether a state of emergency exists. Our correspondent says this appears to be the ultimate political limbo, with the rival parties even in disagreement over whether a state of emergency exists.
Tension on streetsTension on streets
Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between the factions. 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.
The election 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.
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, our correspondent 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, our correspondent 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.
The crisis has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility of rival administrations.The crisis has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility of rival administrations.
The issue has turned into a regional and international affair.The issue has turned into a regional and international affair.
The US, Russia, Syria and Iran have all been 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 have all been 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.