Lebanon delays presidential vote again
Lebanon postpones presidential elections for 17th time, continuing long-standing political crisis in country. Arab divisions debate upcoming summit in Damascus
BEIRUT - Lebanon on Monday postponed its presidential election from March 25 to April 22 in the 17th delay of a vote that has been derailed by the country's months-long political crisis.
The delay, announced by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, means that there will not be a Lebanese president at the March 29-30 Arab summit in Damascus. Arab divisions over Lebanon have already undermined the meeting, with Saudi Arabia announcing earlier in the day that it would send a low-level delegation to the annual summit.
Lebanon's political crisis, its worst since the 1975-90 civil war, has paralyzed government, left the presidency vacant since November and led to bouts of deadly sectarian violence. It has also strained ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia, which back opposing sides in the conflict.
Saudi Arabia supports the Beirut governing coalition, which is backed by the United States and France, while Syria and its ally Iran back the opposition alliance led by Hizbullah.
The Lebanese rivals have agreed that army chief General Michel Suleiman should fill the presidency but his confirmation by parliament has been derailed by a dispute over the make-up of the cabinet to be formed after his election.
Parliament cannot convene to elect the president unless there is a deal between the rival camps that will secure a quorum for the vote.
