This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7108657.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Lebanon president deadline looms Lebanon president deadline looms
(about 2 hours later)
Lebanese MPs are facing a deadline of midnight to appoint a new president. Members of the Western-backed majority in the Lebanese parliament are due to convene as the crisis over the election of a new president comes to a head.
However, mediators fear rival camps will fail to reach a deal, plunging the country into a deeper political crisis. But the opposition has said it will not turn up in large enough numbers to achieve the quorum needed for a vote.
The term of the incumbent, pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud, expires at midnight.
Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between Western-backed and pro-Syrian factions.Repeated attempts to elect a new president over the past two months have been scuppered by rivalry between Western-backed and pro-Syrian factions.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been trying to broker a solution, said despite complications "a miracle is still possible". With the presidential election going down to the wire, the tension is palpable on the streets with the army is deployed in force and schools are closed, BBC Beirut correspondent Kim Ghattas says.
But his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema, was pessimistic on the eve of Friday's deadline. Check points have also been set up and the ministry of interior has suspended all firearm permits until further notice.
"Tomorrow, I don't believe there will be an election and this will create difficult conditions," he said. Friday's parliamentary vote in scheduled for 1300 local time (1100 GMT).
The French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers have spent several days in Lebanon, meeting rival groups in an attempt to break the deadlock. The failure to find a compromise has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility that the opposition could create a rival administration, as happened during the 15-year civil war.
A vote in parliament has been scheduled for 1300 (1100 GMT), 11 hours before current President Emile Lahoud's term expires.
No compromiseNo compromise
The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the anti-Syrian ruling bloc - with its slim majority - cannot force its preferred candidate through parliament. A deal with the opposition is therefore required. The election of a president requires a two-thirds majority, which means that the pro-Western Syrian ruling bloc - with its slim majority - cannot force its preferred candidate through parliament.
The rival factions cannot agree on a compromise candidate, however. KEY STEPS Vote scheduled 1300 (1100 GMT) FridayPresident Emile Lahoud's term expires 2400 FridayIf no president elected, constitutions says presidential powers passed to PM Fouad SinioraPresident Lahoud wants to appoint army chief as president class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7103422.stm">Views from Beirut
LEADING CANDIDATES Nassib Lahoud: Government candidate. Former US ambassador. Leading industrialistMichel Aoun: Opposition candidate. Former army commander who fought Syria during civil war. Returned from exile in 2005. Vocal opponent of governmentMichel Suleiman: Army commander since 1998. Electing him requires constitutional amendmentRiad Salameh: Central bank governor since 1993. Widely respected at home and abroad. Election requires constitutional amendmentBoutrous Harb: Pro-government candidate. MP and former ministerJean Obeid: Possible consensus candidate. Foreign minister 2003-2004 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7103422.stm">Views from Beirut Our correspondent says that a last minute deal is still possible and the ruling bloc may vote with a simple majority to elect a president - this would be unconstitutional and would infuriate the opposition.
And the opposition has warned it may boycott Friday's session, thus ensuring the quorum will not be reached and any vote will be invalid.
According to Article 62 of the Lebanese constitution, if no candidate is elected before Mr Lahoud's mandate expires, his powers are automatically transferred to the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.According to Article 62 of the Lebanese constitution, if no candidate is elected before Mr Lahoud's mandate expires, his powers are automatically transferred to the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
However, President Lahoud has vowed not to hand over power to Mr Siniora, and said he would name army chief General Michel Suleiman as his provisional successor instead.However, President Lahoud has vowed not to hand over power to Mr Siniora, and said he would name army chief General Michel Suleiman as his provisional successor instead.
Opposition leader Michel Aoun proposed a compromise on Thursday, whereby an interim president would be selected to fill the office until parliamentary elections were held in 2009.
This was dismissed by the ruling majority, however, which said the plan was unconstitutional.
The political deadlock has already led to the vote being postponed four times since 25 September.The political deadlock has already led to the vote being postponed four times since 25 September.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says the failure to find a compromise has raised fears of civil strife, including the possibility that the opposition could create a rival administration, as happened during the civil war.
International effortsInternational efforts
Our correspondent says the issue is turning into a regional and international affair. The issue is also turning into a regional and international affair.
The US, Russia, Syria and Iran are all intensely involved and there has been a lot of diplomatic shuttling between Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and Paris.The US, Russia, Syria and Iran are all intensely involved and there has been a lot of diplomatic shuttling between Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and Paris.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned several of the country's top leaders on Monday.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned several of the country's top leaders on Monday.
Fears are growing that failure to elect a president will bring more turmoil to Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been trying to broker a solution but has now left Beirut, said despite complications "a miracle is still possible".
The army has increased its presence on the streets of Beirut and set up checkpoints, some schools have cancelled classes until Monday, and the ministry of interior has suspended all firearm permits until further notice. But his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema, was pessimistic on the eve of Friday's deadline.
"Tomorrow, I don't believe there will be an election and this will create difficult conditions," he said.
The French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers have spent several days in Lebanon, meeting rival groups in an attempt to break the deadlock.