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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 17:59 24/12/2007 Lebanese gov't drafts law to let army head be president By Reuters Tags: Lebanon, Michael Suleiman Lebanon's government drafted a law on Monday to amend the constitution to allow the army chief to become president, but the opposition condemned the move and said it would intensify the country's political deadlock. The Western-backed government and pro-Syrian opposition agree in principle on the election of General Michel Suleiman as president, but the opposition wants guarantees it will have veto power in a future coalition cabinet before a full deal. The government wants Suleiman elected first. Advertisement Neither the anti-Syrian governing coalition nor the Hezbollah-led opposition have enough seats in parliament to secure a two-thirds quorum for the election, delayed repeatedly since Sept. 25. The presidency has been vacant since pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud's term ended four weeks ago. An article in the constitution bans senior public servants from running for office. The opposition says however no constitutional amendment is necessary and in any case considers the government and any decisions it takes illegitimate since its own ministers resigned last year. Ali Hassan Khalil, adviser to opposition leader and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, said of the draft amendment: "This escalation indicates the intention to obstruct a deal and the closing of doors for any initiatives." Theoretically the draft law passes to parliament for approval. But Khalil said Berri would not receive the draft law because he considers the government unconstitutional. Berri was quoted as telling the pro-Syrian Ad-Diyar newspaper that electing Suleiman did not require a constitutional amendment and that he would continue to call parliamentary sessions to try to elect a president. Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said after reading out the government's decision: "The government considers itself legitimate and constitutional and cannot give up its responsibilities and the performance of its duties." Berri last week postponed the parliamentary election vote for the tenth time, to Dec. 29. The crisis is viewed as Lebanon's most serious internal political confrontation since the 1975-1990 civil war. Related articles: Bush warns Syria not to interfere in Lebanese politics Top Lebanese army general, four others killed in blast near Beirut Chronology of events in Lebanon since Hariri assassination Sarkozy gives Assad ultimatum on holding Lebanese elections Bookmark to del.icio.us Christmas blues Gazan Christians keep low profile during Christmas after activist slain. Absent voice An Israeli think tank says Israeli Arabs should take part in negotiations with PA.   1.   They haven`t learned... 19:24  |  nina 24/12/07   2.   this means that hussy, syria & iran are soon to burn 20:36  |  frenz 24/12/07   3.   When Assad Dreams Of Greater Syria, Lebanon Has A Nightmare! 22:15  |  Lavi 24/12/07

Today Online PM to Shalit family: Still no breakthrough on Gilad's release Responses: 149 Gideon Levy: Don't be fooled by impression of quiet in West Bank Responses: 153 Akiva Eldar: Why can't Israel's left make peace demands? Responses: 43 Shimon Peres online: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of an int'l vote of courage Responses: 49 Rosner's Domain Ron Paul insists: 'Israel encourages Americans to go into Iran' Support Israel, or support Jerusalem? (WTR) Poll: A cease-fire with Hamas, good or bad? Romney to Evangelicals, like Messianic Jews to Jews (WTR) More Headlines 19:29 IDF Advocate General rules cluster bomb use in war was legal 22:15 FM: Egypt doing 'awful' job of halting arms smuggling into Gaza Strip 22:18 Gov't delays decision on easing criteria for freeing Palestinians 09:42 Orthodox rabbi to oversee Reform conference in Jerusalem 22:14 Tourists crowd Bethlehem for Christmas festivities 22:17 Finance Committee passes budget, Economic Arrangements Law 22:22 Second round of talks between Israel, PA ends in disagreement 21:44 Iran MP: Tehran to issue tenders for 19 nuclear power plants soon 14:09 Palestinians: IDF troops kill two Hamas militants in Gaza air strike Previous Editions Select Day 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec

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