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| Lebanon MPs elect new president | Lebanon MPs elect new president |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Lebanon's parliament has elected army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November. | Lebanon's parliament has elected army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November. |
| All sides had agreed to back Gen Suleiman as part of a deal reached on Wednesday to end some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. | All sides had agreed to back Gen Suleiman as part of a deal reached on Wednesday to end some of the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. |
| Applause broke out in the chamber as the election of Gen Suleiman was announced. | |
| Standing unopposed, he was backed by 118 votes out of 127, Lebanese TV said. | |
| Trumpets played and supporters waved flags in celebration in Beirut. | |
| Security was tight ahead of the vote, which followed 19 failed attempts to elect a president over recent months. | |
| Lebanon has faced political crisis since late 2006 when the pro-Syrian opposition - led by the Hezbollah political and militant group - left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions. | Lebanon has faced political crisis since late 2006 when the pro-Syrian opposition - led by the Hezbollah political and militant group - left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions. |
| The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead. | The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead. |
| The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition. | The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition. |
| Outside influence | Outside influence |
| The Western-backed government and the opposition arrived at a deal on Wednesday after days of talks in Qatar. | The Western-backed government and the opposition arrived at a deal on Wednesday after days of talks in Qatar. |
| DOHA AGREEMENT Western-backed ruling majority to get 16 cabinet seats and choose prime ministerSyrian-backed opposition to get 11 cabinet seats and veto powerThree cabinet seats to be nominated by presidentThe use of weapons in internal conflicts is to be bannedOpposition protest camps in central Beirut are to be removed New law to divide country into smaller electoral districts Profile: Michel SuleimanTough task for new presidentQ&A: Lebanon dealSend your comments | DOHA AGREEMENT Western-backed ruling majority to get 16 cabinet seats and choose prime ministerSyrian-backed opposition to get 11 cabinet seats and veto powerThree cabinet seats to be nominated by presidentThe use of weapons in internal conflicts is to be bannedOpposition protest camps in central Beirut are to be removed New law to divide country into smaller electoral districts Profile: Michel SuleimanTough task for new presidentQ&A: Lebanon dealSend your comments |
| Under the agreement, the opposition will have the power of veto in a new cabinet of national unity. | Under the agreement, the opposition will have the power of veto in a new cabinet of national unity. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the agreement has brought about a remarkable relaxation on the ground. |
| Among 200 guests at the parliamentary vote were the Emir of Qatar who helped mediate the deal, as well as a US congressional delegation and the foreign ministers of Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. | Among 200 guests at the parliamentary vote were the Emir of Qatar who helped mediate the deal, as well as a US congressional delegation and the foreign ministers of Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. |
| Our correspondents says these outside powers have all been involved in the proxy struggle in Lebanon, but now seem to be coming together to give their blessing to the agreement which ends 18 months of deadlock and rising tensions. | Our correspondents says these outside powers have all been involved in the proxy struggle in Lebanon, but now seem to be coming together to give their blessing to the agreement which ends 18 months of deadlock and rising tensions. |
| For months, Gen Suleiman had been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreements had repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him. | For months, Gen Suleiman had been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreements had repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him. |
| Our correspondent says his election does not mean the military is taking over - it is more a case of feuding politicians being unable to agree on a Maronite Christian, which the president has to be, who is above the fray and acceptable all round. | Our correspondent says his election does not mean the military is taking over - it is more a case of feuding politicians being unable to agree on a Maronite Christian, which the president has to be, who is above the fray and acceptable all round. |
| After the election, the president is expected to name a prime minister who will have to put together a unity government. | After the election, the president is expected to name a prime minister who will have to put together a unity government. |
| The composition has been agreed, but our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. | The composition has been agreed, but our correspondent says there will be much haggling over who gets which portfolio. |