A Lebanese presidential election scheduled for Tuesday was postponed till next Monday, or Dec. 17, to give rival leaders more time for reaching a deal on electing the Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as the country's new president.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri made the decision in an overnight announcement, saying the postponement was necessary "in order to allow for more consultation to agree on the election of anew president for the country."
It is the eighth postponement since Sept. 25, which left the presidency vacant since former President Emile Lahoud stepped down on Nov. 24.
The statement released by Berri's office came just minutes after the ruling coalition's lawmakers announced a boycott of Tuesday's session as the rival blocs are still divided on how to amend the constitution to secure Suleiman's election, as well as on the shape and policies of the future government.
"The March 14 parliamentary majority believes that (Tuesday's) parliamentary session will not produce anything but further undermine the credibility of the democratic process," the majority bloc's statement said.
Gen. Suleiman, 59, has held his post since 1998. He is seen as a neutral figure in a country where nearly every politician is considered either in the pro- or anti-Syrian camp.
According to Lebanon's constitution, a senior public servant has to stand down from his post two years ahead of running for the presidency.
Lebanese ruling coalition and the opposition have been separated by a wide chasm since six of the latter's ministers resigned from Premier Fouad Seniora's government in November last year.
The presidency deadlock deepened the Lebanese political crisis as fears are mounting that failure in reaching a deal on the presidential candidate could result in a power vacuum in the country.
Source: Xinhua
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