Lebanon's Lahoud says will install gov't if no deal reached

Lebanon's pro-Syrian president said on Thursday he would appoint an interim government headed by the army chief if rival Lebanese leaders cannot agree on a new head of state before his term expires in November.

President Emile Lahoud's remark raised the stakes in a deep political conflict which pits the anti-Syrian Beirut government, backed by the United States, against an opposition coalition including factions allied to Damascus and Tehran.Such a step by Lahoud, who has already hinted he could appoint a new cabinet, would result in two governments, assuming army commander Michel Suleiman were to accept the job, analysts said. (Reuters)