There are hopes for defusing the current Lebanese political crisis by electing Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as a new president on Monday without having to amend the constitution, local Naharnet news website reported on Monday.
A new formula has been in the works since late evening hours on Sunday, the report quoted a high-ranking source with the pro-government March 14 Movement as saying.
It calls for convening a parliamentary session on Monday to give explanation so that the constitutional case for term limits related to the presidency is considered null due to the presidential vacuum and therefore there is no need for a constitutional amendment, said the report.
Lebanese parliament is scheduled to meet Monday to vote to approve Suleiman for the presidency, a post which has been vacant since former President Emile Lahoud stepped down on Nov. 24.
The Western-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition have to clinch a deal to secure a two-thirds quorum for the electoral session. The session was scheduled for 12 p.m.(1000 GMT).
It is the ninth attempt since Sept. 25 because the Lebanese rival leaders have failed to reach a deal on how to amend the constitution to allow Suleiman to take the job.
Meanwhile, the Voice of Lebanon radio said on Monday there was a "serious attempt" to apply Articles 75 and 76 of the constitution which allow the election to proceed without having to amend the constitution and without having to engage into dialogue with Gen. Michel Aoun, a main opposition leader over a "political basket "in the forthcoming new government.
However, the possibility of achieving presidential election on Monday remains in limbo, awaiting response from the Hezbollah-led opposition, said the Naharnet.
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-government 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, which made a constitutional change necessary for Suleiman's election.
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.
Source:Xinhua
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