LEBANON
Presidential vote delayed to Dec. 7
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday's parliamentary vote to elect a new Lebanese president has been delayed for a sixth time to Dec. 7, as Chief Army General Michel Suleiman moves into contention.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
By Reuters
A Lebanese presidential election scheduled for Friday was delayed
for a sixth time to Dec. 7, the parliament speaker said, giving more
time for talks focusing on the army chief's nomination for the vacant
post.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced the delay on
Thursday "for more discussion to reach consensus" on the
presidency, which is at the heart of a power struggle between
the Western-backed governing coalition and the opposition backed
by Syria and led by Hezbollah.
Thursday "for more discussion to reach consensus" on the
presidency, which is at the heart of a power struggle between
the Western-backed governing coalition and the opposition backed
by Syria and led by Hezbollah.
General Michel Suleiman is the latest nominee for the post
that has been empty since Nov. 23 when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud's
term ended.
that has been empty since Nov. 23 when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud's
term ended.
A series of parliamentary sessions called to elect his
replacement have failed because there has been no agreement
between the rivals on a candidate, who must be a Maronite
Christian under a sectarian power-sharing system.
replacement have failed because there has been no agreement
between the rivals on a candidate, who must be a Maronite
Christian under a sectarian power-sharing system.
Christian leader and Hezbollah ally Michel Aoun said he
would back Suleiman's candidacy under an initiative that would
put him in office for two years, give the opposition veto power
in cabinet and install a neutral prime minister.
would back Suleiman's candidacy under an initiative that would
put him in office for two years, give the opposition veto power
in cabinet and install a neutral prime minister.
A Suleiman presidency would require an amendment to the
constitution, which stops a senior public servant from running.
constitution, which stops a senior public servant from running.
"We hope that after the removal of the constitutional
difficulties General Suleiman will be our candidate according to
the initiative that we launched," said Aoun, a former general
who has until now insisted he should take the post.
difficulties General Suleiman will be our candidate according to
the initiative that we launched," said Aoun, a former general
who has until now insisted he should take the post.
Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah still publicly backs Aoun for the
position and his latest statement could help clear Suleiman's
way to the presidency by giving the opposition room to
negotiate.
position and his latest statement could help clear Suleiman's
way to the presidency by giving the opposition room to
negotiate.
FEARS OF VIOLENCE EASE
The anti-Damascus governing coalition had previously opposed
the nomination of Suleiman, who was appointed army chief when
Syria controlled Lebanon and has good ties with Hezbollah.
the nomination of Suleiman, who was appointed army chief when
Syria controlled Lebanon and has good ties with Hezbollah.
Shifting their position, lawmakers loyal to governing
coalition leader Saad al-Hariri said on Wednesday they would
accept a constitutional amendment needed to allow the general to
fill the post.
coalition leader Saad al-Hariri said on Wednesday they would
accept a constitutional amendment needed to allow the general to
fill the post.
The governing coalition now see Suleiman as their only
option, preferring him to a vacuum and fearing a rapprochement
between the United States and Syria after this week's Annapolis
peace conference, a political source said.
option, preferring him to a vacuum and fearing a rapprochement
between the United States and Syria after this week's Annapolis
peace conference, a political source said.
Agreement on a new president would defuse Lebanon's worst
political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. Fears of a
return to violence have eased since last week with both sides
seeking to contain rather than escalate their standoff.
political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. Fears of a
return to violence have eased since last week with both sides
seeking to contain rather than escalate their standoff.
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said a constitutional amendment
was under discussion. Referring to a Suleiman nomination, he
added: "This matter is the subject of serious discussion. God
willing we will arrive at the result that secures the interest
of Lebanon."
was under discussion. Referring to a Suleiman nomination, he
added: "This matter is the subject of serious discussion. God
willing we will arrive at the result that secures the interest
of Lebanon."
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