Lebanon presidential vote postponed to Nov. 30

A parliament session on Friday for Lebanese lawmakers to elect a new head of state before a midnight deadline has been postponed for a week amid continuing deadlock between rival factions.

"The session has been postponed until next Friday, November 30, to allow for more discussions and in order to reach an agreement," spokesman Mohamad Ballout said, reading a statement from parliament speaker Nabih Berri's office.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT) to pick a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, whose term ends at midnight.

But it was widely expected that the session would be postponed as the Western-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition have been unable to agree on a compromise candidate.

The news came as the foreign ministers of France, Italy and
Spain expressed doubts over Friday's planned vote as they shuttled between the divided parties trying to assist in negotiations before the midnight deadline.

"Tomorrow, I don't believe there will be an election and this will create difficult conditions," said Italian Foreign Minister
Massimo D'Alema. "But this is not the end of the world."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner added, "A miracle is still possible tomorrow but I think it is going to be a little complicated."

Aoun’s Plan

Opposition leader Michel Aoun offered an 11th-hour solution to the impasse on Thursday suggesting that his camp name an interim president and the ruling majority appoint a prime minister.

Under the plan, Aoun would name a presidential candidate from outside his parliamentary bloc while parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri would nominate a prime minister from outside his Future Movement.

This president would serve until after the 2009 legislative elections and the temporary prime minister would form a national "reconciliation government."

Aoun said his proposal was valid only until 11:00 pm (2100 GMT) Friday.

The ruling coalition, which has 68 deputies in the 127-member parliament, rejected Aoun’s plan, vowing to proceed with a simple majority vote but there were fears that option could spark unrest, according to political officials.

Many fear Lahoud's departure from office with no deal could result in two rival administrations and violence in a country still rebuilding from its 1975-1990 civil war.

"This is very worrisome," a taxi driver who gave his name only as Mohammad told Reuters. "We have learned to expect the worst and this (deadlock) could leave the country in flames."

Security Fears

Thousands of Lebanese soldiers and police, backed by armored vehicles, deployed across Beirut overnight, lining up some streets leading to parliament in downtown Beirut. Others guarded government buildings or set checkpoints.

Extra measures were taken around a five-star hotel where dozens of anti-Syrian lawmakers have been staying for the past two months under guard for fear of assassination.

Lebanon has been rattled by some 30 explosions over the last three years that have killed dozens, including eight anti-Syrian politicians and journalists.