Political vacuum in Lebanon as President steps down
President Emile Lahoud orders army to take over security powers shortly before leaving office; president's spokesman says Siniora government 'unconstitutional'
Lebanon was left without a head of state Saturday after its president stepped down at the end of his term with no elected successor and a raging feud over who was in charge in the politically divided nation.
Lahoud, who history may remember as one of Lebanon's most controversial presidents, left office shortly before midnight Friday, handing over responsibility for the country's security to the army and declaring the country is in a "state of emergency."
The announcement immediately raised further questions amid Lebanon's political turmoil. The president cannot declare a state of emergency without approval from the government, but Lahoud's spokesman said the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is considered unconstitutional.
"The president of the republic declares that because a state of emergency exists all over the land as of Novebber 24, 2007," presidential spokesman Rafik Shalala said. "The army is instructed to preserve security all over the Lebanese territory and places all the armed forces at its disposal."
The statement instructed the army "to submit the measures it takes to the Cabinet once there is one that is constitutional," He said.
'An organized political chaos'
There was no immediate reaction from the Siniora government, which has been meeting at the government house in Beirut as the announcement was made at the presidential palace in suburban Baabda.
Newspapers said Lebanon had been plunged into an organized political chaos pending a parliament session next Friday to elect Lahoud's successor.
"Lahoud's era ends with a republic with no head of state," the country's leading An-Nahar daily said, adding that "security and political guarantees rule during the transitional period" until next Friday.
The daily As-Safir, close to the opposition, said the country's political leaders had managed to agree on only one thing Friday, "a political vacuum".
With tanks and troops on the streets of Beirut to maintain security, the situation was calm Saturday with no reports of unrest or clashes.
The Bush administration urged all parties in Lebanon to remain calm and refrain from violence. The State Department appealed for the Lebanese military and security services to uphold the rule of law and for political actors to negotiate.
AP, AFP contributed to this report
