Lebanon Postpones Vote To Elect a President

UNITED NATIONS — As Western supporters of the independence movement in Lebanon are increasingly concerned about a leadership void, the country's constitutional crisis deepened yesterday with the postponement of a crucial parliamentary vote to elect a president.

In Beirut, Lebanon's pro-Syrian power broker Michel Aoun told a press conference yesterday that Parliament members are likely to postpone today's scheduled vote. Such a move would make for the eighth time such a delay was forced by Lebanon's politicians. In New York, meanwhile, France circulated a proposed statement calling for the vote to take place "without delay."

The postponement occurred despite the fact that all the important factions in Lebanon's power struggle have agreed already to unite behind the candidacy of the army chief, General Michel Suleiman, to replace President Lahoud in an office that, according to the constitution, must be held by a Maronite Christian.

"Don't be afraid of the [presidential] void," Mr. Aoun, a Maronite, told reporters after saying he was "almost certain" that today's scheduled parliamentary vote would not take place. "Have a pleasant time during the holidays, and we will see you afterwards," he added.

Such an "impasse does not serve" Lebanon's interests, according to the French proposal for a statement by the Security Council, a body that has an influence over the country's politics. The proposed statement calls for "holding, without delay, a free and fair presidential election without foreign interference" and "in conformity" with Lebanon's constitution. Russian diplomats yesterday asked council members to wait for a day so they could consult with Moscow about the proposal's content. Despite the tentative agreement among the Lebanese factions over Mr. Suleiman's candidacy, a power struggle is intensifying over the structure of the government currently headed by Prime Minister Siniora, whose position according to the constitution must be held by a Sunni Muslim. The leading candidate to replace Mr. Siniora is Saad Hariri, whose father was murdered in 2005 at the start of a wave of political assassinations largely believed to be directed by Syria. Pro-Syrian politicians — including Mr. Aoun and the Shiite ally of Hezbollah, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri — have tried to prevent Mr. Hariri from becoming prime minister as they increase their representation in the government.

In addition, the latest snag in the presidential vote is influenced by a constitutional provision that bars military figures from serving as president.

The constitution was waived in the past, however, to facilitate Mr. Lahoud's presidency, and it could easily be amended again once an agreement on other issues is reached.

Since Mr. Lahoud's term ended November 23, Lebanon has been without a president. In the political void, pro-Syrian politicians have battled those of the camp that launched the independence-oriented "Cedar Revolution" two years ago, with both sides scrambling for power positions in the government.