Region | Lebanon
Lebanon to elect president 'in days'
Lebanese army chief General Michel Sulaiman is expected to be elected the country's president "within days," top Arab officials announced in Beirut.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:38 May 16, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Lebanon has been without a president since November due to the long running deadlock that pitted Hezbollah and its allies against the government and the ruling coalition.
Dubai: Lebanese army chief General Michel Sulaiman is expected to be elected the country's president "within days," top Arab officials announced in Beirut on Thursday.
The announcement was made by Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Al Thani, who led an Arab League mediation team to end Lebanon's worst internal fighting since the civil war.
After two days of negotiations, he said, the ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition reached a deal to resume national talks in Qatar under the auspices of the league to elect a president and form a national unity government.
The talks in Doha, which start today, would continue "until agreement is reached," Shaikh Hamad told a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa. "We expect General Sulaiman to be elected the president of Lebanon within days."
Lebanon has been without a president since November due to the long running deadlock that pitted Hezbollah and its allies against the government and the ruling coalition. "There is a real chance Lebanon will have a president within the next few days. This deal is in the interest of all the Lebanese. I am very hopeful," Mousa said.
As Shaikh Hamad announced the deal, the opposition removed roadblocks that paralysed the capital, the airport and the main seaport for one week. Lebanon's Middle East Airlines resumed its flights last night, and Emirates said it will restore full service to Beirut tomorrow. Sharjah-based Air Arabia announced it was resuming services to Beirut on Friday.
Six point deal
--Rival parties agree to return to the situation that prevailed in Lebanon prior to May 5, when deadly sectarian fighting erupted.
--The leaders agreed to re-launch a national dialogue to elect a president, form a national unity government and draw up a new electoral law.
--They agreed to refrain from using weapons for political gains.
--The parties would launch talks in Qatar today that would continue until an agreement is reached.
--The new president would then preside over a national dialogue, sponsored by the Arab League, to shore up the authority of the state nationwide.
--The parties would refrain from inciting sectarian sentiments and using hateful language.
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