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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Lebanon in 'emergency' confusion | Lebanon in 'emergency' confusion |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Lebanon's prime minister has rejected a move by the country's president to hand over security to the army. | Lebanon's prime minister has rejected a move by the country's president to hand over security to the army. |
| President Emile Lahoud is due to leave office at midnight (2200 GMT) and politicians have not found a successor. | President Emile Lahoud is due to leave office at midnight (2200 GMT) and politicians have not found a successor. |
| The pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud, who refuses to recognise Fouad Siniora's government, has effectively called for a state of emergency, analysts say. | The pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud, who refuses to recognise Fouad Siniora's government, has effectively called for a state of emergency, analysts say. |
| The pro-Western Mr Siniora says he and his cabinet should take over as the presidency ends. | The pro-Western Mr Siniora says he and his cabinet should take over as the presidency ends. |
| Mr Siniora said that his government will continue to exercise its powers after Mr Lahoud's mandate expires. | Mr Siniora said that his government will continue to exercise its powers after Mr Lahoud's mandate expires. |
| The US has urged all parties to remain calm and said that under the constitution the Lebanese cabinet should "temporarily assume executive powers and responsibilities until a new president is elected". | The US has urged all parties to remain calm and said that under the constitution the Lebanese cabinet should "temporarily assume executive powers and responsibilities until a new president is elected". |
| 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. |
| The president is elected by parliament, but a vote failed on Friday after the pro-Syrian opposition did not allow the necessary quorum to be achieved. A new vote has been scheduled for 30 November. | The president is elected by parliament, but a vote failed on Friday after the pro-Syrian opposition did not allow the necessary quorum to be achieved. A new vote has been scheduled for 30 November. |
| 'Not valid' | '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 convoluted. | 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 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 0000 SaturdayIf the presidency become vacant, constitution says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad Siniora Views from Beirut Send us your comments | |
| Analysts said this amounted to a call for a state of emergency. | Analysts said this amounted to a call for a state of emergency. |
| However, Mr Lahoud cannot make the order without the backing of the government - which he does not recognise. | However, Mr Lahoud cannot make the order without the backing of the government - which he does not recognise. |
| 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". |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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 streets | Tension on streets |
| The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western ruling bloc - with only a slim majority - could not force its preferred candidate through parliament. | The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western ruling bloc - with only a slim majority - could not force its preferred candidate through parliament. |
| Mr Siniora says he should take over temporarily under the constitution | Mr Siniora says he should take over temporarily under the constitution |
| 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. |