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Lebanon president talks stalled Lebanon president talks stalled
(about 15 hours later)
A session in the Lebanese parliament to elect a president is set to be delayed for the seventh time as negotiations on a compromise candidate remain stalled.A session in the Lebanese parliament to elect a president is set to be delayed for the seventh time as negotiations on a compromise candidate remain stalled.
The pro-West ruling bloc and pro-Syrian opposition have agreed on army chief Gen Michel Suleiman, but are divided on the make-up of a new government.The pro-West ruling bloc and pro-Syrian opposition have agreed on army chief Gen Michel Suleiman, but are divided on the make-up of a new government.
There is also said to be a dispute over how to amend the constitution to allow a senior civil servant to be elected.There is also said to be a dispute over how to amend the constitution to allow a senior civil servant to be elected.
The deadlock meant Emile Lahoud stepped down last month without a successor.The deadlock meant Emile Lahoud stepped down last month without a successor.
When his term in office ended on 23 November, Mr Lahoud's presidential powers were passed to the pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.When his term in office ended on 23 November, Mr Lahoud's presidential powers were passed to the pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
'No time''No time'
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner spearheaded international attempts to resolve the political deadlock earlier on Tuesday by holding talks in Beirut with the opposition-aligned parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, and majority leader Saad Hariri.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner spearheaded international attempts to resolve the political deadlock earlier on Tuesday by holding talks in Beirut with the opposition-aligned parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, and majority leader Saad Hariri.
There can be no parliament session Friday because... a political understanding is lacking Ibrahim KanaanFree Patriotic Movement There can be no parliament session on Friday because... a political understanding is lacking Ibrahim KanaanFree Patriotic Movement
But opposition Maronite Christian politician Ibrahim Kanaan said Mr Kouchner had failed because the ruling bloc had "refused to discuss any political understanding ahead of the election".But opposition Maronite Christian politician Ibrahim Kanaan said Mr Kouchner had failed because the ruling bloc had "refused to discuss any political understanding ahead of the election".
"Even if there is a political agreement, we will not have time to carry out a constitutional amendment between today and tomorrow," Mr Kanaan told the AFP news agency."Even if there is a political agreement, we will not have time to carry out a constitutional amendment between today and tomorrow," Mr Kanaan told the AFP news agency.
Ammar Houri, an MP from Mr Hariri's Future parliamentary bloc, also said Friday's session was "most probably going to be delayed".Ammar Houri, an MP from Mr Hariri's Future parliamentary bloc, also said Friday's session was "most probably going to be delayed".
A delay would come despite both sides announcing earlier this week that they had agreed to back Lebanon's 59-year-old Maronite Christian army chief as a compromise candidate for the presidency.A delay would come despite both sides announcing earlier this week that they had agreed to back Lebanon's 59-year-old Maronite Christian army chief as a compromise candidate for the presidency.
Correspondents say Gen Suleiman has remained neutral during the year-long political crisis and has repeatedly called on the army to keep out of politics.Correspondents say Gen Suleiman has remained neutral during the year-long political crisis and has repeatedly called on the army to keep out of politics.
Constitutional amendmentConstitutional amendment
However, under Article 49 of the current constitution, senior civil servants are barred from becoming president within two years of stepping down.However, under Article 49 of the current constitution, senior civil servants are barred from becoming president within two years of stepping down.
Gen Suleiman has remained neutral in Lebanon's recent upheavalsGen Suleiman has remained neutral in Lebanon's recent upheavals
The constitution has been amended twice since 1998, first to allow Mr Lahoud to become president and again in 2004 to extend his term by three years.The constitution has been amended twice since 1998, first to allow Mr Lahoud to become president and again in 2004 to extend his term by three years.
That move sharply divided Lebanon into pro- and anti-Syrian camps. Months later, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon amid huge protests after the assassination of Mr Hariri's father, Rafik, a former prime minister who had recently joined the anti-Syrian side.That move sharply divided Lebanon into pro- and anti-Syrian camps. Months later, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon amid huge protests after the assassination of Mr Hariri's father, Rafik, a former prime minister who had recently joined the anti-Syrian side.
Any further amendment to the constitution would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the 128-seat parliament, something also required for the election of a new president. A quorum of two-thirds is also necessary for either vote.Any further amendment to the constitution would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the 128-seat parliament, something also required for the election of a new president. A quorum of two-thirds is also necessary for either vote.
Under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the country's president must be from the Maronite Christian minority.Under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the country's president must be from the Maronite Christian minority.
The post of prime minister is always reserved for a Sunni Muslim, while that of parliament speaker goes to a Shia.The post of prime minister is always reserved for a Sunni Muslim, while that of parliament speaker goes to a Shia.