ياشاسين آذربايجان - Long live Azerbaijan

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The news came as little surprise following the earlier announcement by the opposition, led by Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, of its intention to boycott the session in order to stop the U.S.-supported majority from electing a president from their own ranks.

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The Lebanese parliament failed to elect the country’s new president Tuesday following a Hezbollah-led boycott of the vote.

The parliamentary session was held under heavy security following last week’s assassination of pro-government lawmaker Antoine Ghanem.

Of 128 members of parliament, only 65 lawmakers, those representing the ruling alliance, convened for the session, preventing the two-thirds quorum required to elect a new president.

The news came as little surprise following the earlier announcement by the opposition, led by Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, of its intention to boycott the session in order to stop the U.S.-supported majority from electing a president from their own ranks.

The current crisis has the very real potential to lead to the emergence of two rival governments, and subsequent political chaos.

Lebanon witnessed a devastating civil war in 1975-1990, and has seen a chain of political assassinations in recent years, including the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005.

If parliament is unable to elect a president by Nov. 24, Prime Minister Saniora and his Cabinet automatically assume executive powers.rian

, Voice of a Nation

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