BEIRUT: Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition today marks the one-year anniversary of its sit-in in central Beirut, vowing to stay on for years if need be to force the resignation of the Western-backed premier.

  

Hamra's popular ta-marbouta cafe hosted an event to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Thursday, 60 years to the day after the United Nations General Assembly approved the partition of Palestine. Organized by the Tourath Baladna Social Communication Center and ta-marbouta.

  

Lebanon's parliament postponed for a week a vote that had been set for yesterday to elect a new president amid signs fractious politicians might agree on giving the job to the army chief.

  

Bank of Beirut on Thursday launched the first vertical Visa credit card which is tailored to engineers, doctors, teachers and bankers. "This credit card is the first of its kind in the Middle East," Georges Aouad, head of the retail banking division, announced during a news conference at Gefinor Rotana Hotel.

  

A Lebanese man was killed Thursday when he tried to take scrap metal from an unexploded Israeli rocket in the South of the country, police said. Hassan Jaber, 37, was killed instantly when the rocket exploded in his garage where he had been trying to dismantle the ordnance in order to extract the metal for scrap, they said.

  

Hezbollah supporters wave the party's yellow flag and Lebanese flags in Beirut's southern suburb, August 2007. Hezbollah-led opposition will mark the one-year anniversary of its sit-in in central Beirut, vowing to stay on for years if need be to force the resignation of the Western-backed premier.

  

BEIRUT - The influential head of the Maronite Christian church urged Lebanon's opposition on Friday to end its boycott of the presidential election and said the repeatedly delayed vote must be held "before it is too late".

  

Lebanon's parliament has postponed until Dec. 7 a session to select the country's next president, the sixth time the election has been pushed back. In a statement issued by his office, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said he took the action to permit further...

  

BEIRUT - The influential head of the Maronite Christian church urged Lebanon's opposition on Friday to end its boycott of the presidential election and said the repeatedly delayed vote must be held 'before it is too late?.

  

Source: Reuters By Yara Bayoumy BEIRUT, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The influential head of the Maronite Christian church urged Lebanon's opposition on Friday to end its boycott of the presidential election and ...

  

BEIRUT, Nov 30 - The Lebanese stock market soared 5.3 percent on Friday over hopes that a compromise would soon be reached in the country's presidential crisis.

  

A Lebanese opposition tent city, which began as a powerful outcry to topple the government a year ago, has dwindled to a symbolic presence, but the protest by Hezbollah and its Christian ally still paralyses central Beirut.

  

Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition on Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of its sit-in in central Beirut, vowing to stay on for years if need be to force the resignation of the Western-backed premier.

  

Lebanon, 11/30 - Lebanon`s parliament has again postponed a session to elect a new president, allowing rival groups time for more talks on a compromise figure.

  

Lebanese Army Chief Michel Sleiman. AFP BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanon's political vacuum appears headed toward a resolution with the country's army chief emerging as a probable candidate for the presidency, officials said on Wednesday.

  

Lebanon's top Christian opposition leader said he will back the army chief as a compromise president, increasing the chances for a deal to end Lebanon's political deadlock.

  

(RTTNews) - Lebanon's top Christian opposition leader, Michel Aoun announced Thursday that he would support the army chief backed by the parliamentary majority as a compromise president, a major positive development that could extricate Lebanon from the political vacuum.

  

BEIRUT -- Prominent opposition leader Michel Aoun said on Thursday he backed the army chief, General Michel Sleiman, to become Lebanon's new president, a move that could help to fill a week-long political vacuum.

  

Mai Masri during filming in Beirut last year. Behind the headlines on Palestine lie human tales of horror, many untold because of delicate political situations. FARIDUL ANWAR FARINORDIN catches a Mai Masri film and comes away stricken.

  

Its been almost a week since the president stepped down, and Lebanon remains without a head of state because the divided political elite has yet to agree on a successor. There are fears that the power vacuum could lead to clashes. But for now, downtown Beirut echoes with the sounds of construction, not violence.

  

Lebanon's parliament postponed for a week a vote that had been set for Friday to elect a new president amid signs fractious politicians might agree on giving the job to the army chief.

  

BEIRUT (AFP)--A parliamentary session to elect a new president of Lebanon, due to have been held on Friday, has been postponed until December 7, the office of parliament speaker Nabih Berri said Thursday night.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Lebanese presidential election scheduled for Friday was delayed for a sixth time to December 7, the parliament speaker said, giving more time for talks focusing on the army chief's nomination for the vacant post.

  

A PARLIAMENTARY session to elect a new president of Lebanon, due to have been held tomorrow, has been postponed until December 7, the office of parliament speaker Nabih Berri said today.

  

A PARLIAMENTARY session to elect a new president of Lebanon, due to have been held tomorrow, has been postponed until December 7, the office of parliament speaker Nabih Berri said today.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's presidential election was postponed for a week to December 7 to allow for more talks between rival leaders on a compromise candidate, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's presidential election was postponed for a week to December 7 to allow for more talks between rival leaders on a compromise candidate, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?Lebanon's top Christian opposition leader said Thursday he will back the army chief as a compromise president, increasing the chances for a deal to end Lebanon's political deadlock.

  

PROMINENT opposition leader Michel Aoun said overnight he backed the country's army chief to become Lebanon's new president, a move that could help to end a week-long political vacuum.

  

PROMINENT opposition leader Michel Aoun said overnight he backed the country's army chief to become Lebanon's new president, a move that could help to end a week-long political vacuum.

  

Prominent opposition leader Michel Aoun says he will back the country's army chief to become Lebanon's new president, a move that could help to end a week-long political vacuum.

  

BEIRUT (AFP)--Prominent opposition leader Michel Aoun said Thursday he backed the army chief, General Michel Sleiman, to become Lebanon's new president, a move that could help to fill a week-long political vacuum.

  

OUT EAST: American University of Beirut team members tackle a player from Lebanese American University in a domestic rugby league championship game in Bhamdoun, east of Beirut.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese leaders will put off a presidential election set for Friday for a sixth time to allow for talks focusing on the army chief's nomination for a post now vacant for a week, political sources said on Thursday.

  

BEIRUT - A parliamentary vote to fill Lebanon's vacant presidency is set to be postponed again as feuding politicians wrangle over the possibility of choosing the army chief, officials said Thursday.

  

TROTWOOD - Opening night of the 2007-08 boys basketball season for the Lebanon Warriors had the feel of a classic Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. Tuesday night's 86-59 loss at Trotwood-Madison started out good, turned bad and then got ugly.

  

Source: Reuters By Tom Perry BEIRUT, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Lebanese leaders will put off a presidential election set for Friday for a sixth time to allow for talks expected to focus on the army chief's nomination for ...

  

Lebanese leaders will put off a presidential election set for Friday for a sixth time to allow for talks expected to focus on the army chief's nomination for a post now vacant for a week, political sources said.

  

A parliamentary vote to fill Lebanon's vacant presidency is set to be postponed again as feuding politicians wrangle over the possibility of choosing the army chief, officials said Thursday.

  

Teacher Judy Berg lets the preschool students from New Lebanon school play a tamborine yesterday at the Greenwich Alliance for Education's new bookmobile.

  

With holiday shopping coming up and the stock market going down and everyone worried about the economy, I wasn't in the mood for an expensive restaurant meal. But I was craving a change of diet after the long Thanksgiving weekend. Enough turkey, already. Spare me the stuffing, sweet potatoes and too-rich gravy.

  

BEIRUT: Lebanese taxi drivers staged a demonstration on Wednesday to protest against the steady increase in the prices of petrol, threatening to block roads in the near future if the government refuses to subsidize the prices of fuel oil products.

  

Castlewood looked in midseason form on opening night as it cruised by visiting Lebanon 66-37 in non-district girls basketball on Wednesday night. It had been a long wait for Castlewood junior Katlin Wohlford.

  

BEIRUT: Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president but a move by the majority bloc appeared to boost the chances of a deal, politicians said yesterday.

  

A U.N. inquiry has made progress in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, closely examining the possibility that two or more teams may have carried out the attack, the chief investigator said Wednesday.

  

The Lebanese pro-government Future Parliamentary Bloc agreed on Wednesday to amend the country's constitution so that the army commander General Michel Suleiman could run for presidency. MP Ammar Houri of the bloc, led by MP Saad H ...

  

Chief of the Lebanese army, General Michel Suleiman, meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. Lebanon's political vacuum appears headed toward a resolution with the country's army chief emerging as a probable candidate for the presidency, officials said on Wednesday.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?Lebanon moved closer Wednesday to a deal for army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman to become the next president in the first signs of a breakthrough between its divided factions, after the Annapolis conference eased tensions between their main backers, the United States and Syria.

  

Lebanese taxi drivers staged a demonstration on Wednesday to protest against the steady increase in the prices of petrol, threatening to block roads in the near future if the government refuses to subsidize the prices of fuel oil products. Dozens of taxi drivers carrying banners condemning the government's economic policies.

  

UN officials investigating the killing of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri warned on Wednesday that those who carried out the attack still have the ability and resources to strike again in Beirut. In his latest report on the UN investigation into the assassination, Belgian Prosecutor Serge Brammertz said he had made progress.

  

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill will be in her hometown of Lebanon on Thursday to attend a highway dedication and speak to the local Rotary club. McCaskill will participate in the dedication of the Governor Phil M. Donnelly Memorial Highway. A Lebanon native, Donnelly served two terms as Missouri governor in the 1940s and 1950s. McCaskill will make the dedication address at the ceremony. The ceremony ...

  

The move in Parliament brings the nation a step closer to ending a yearlong political crisis over choosing its next leader.

  

Lebanon High School graduate Dick Shiner is among 12 former standout football players who were chosen as the Atlantic Coast Conference's 2007 ACC Football Championship Game Legends class.

  

Lebanon's political vacuum appears headed toward a resolution with the country's army chief emerging as a probable candidate for the presidency, officials said on Wednesday.

  

Some years ago, Palestinian politics professor Ali Jarbawi recalls, he wrote an article on a family making a weekend journey from the West Bank into Jordan, then to Damascus, Beirut and home via the Israeli port of Haifa.

  

Beirut - Hardline Palestinian groups on Wednesday staged protests in southern Lebanon against the US-sponsored Mideast conference in Annapolis saying it had ignored the Palestinian refugees' right of return. More than 150 refugees marched along the m...

  

General Michel Suleiman step closer to being the new head of state and ending a yearlong political crisis

  

The largest bloc in Lebanon's deadlocked parliament has dropped its opposition to the army chief becoming president, bringing Gen. Michel Suleiman a step closer to being the new head of state and ending a yearlong political crisis, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

  

The largest bloc in Lebanon's deadlocked parliament has dropped its opposition to the army chief becoming president, bringing Gen. Michel Suleiman a step closer to being the new head of state and ending a yearlong political crisis, a lawmaker said Wednesday. The apparent breakthrough, announced by legislator Ammar Houry after weeks of political deadlock, came just one day after the ...

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president but a move by the majority bloc appeared to boost the chances of a deal, politicians said on Wednesday.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president but a move by the majority bloc appeared to boost the chances of a deal, politicians said on Wednesday.

  

Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president but a move by the majority bloc appeared to boost the chances of a deal, politicians said on Wednesday.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon The largest bloc in Lebanon's deadlocked parliament dropped its opposition to the army chief becoming the next president, bringing Gen. Michel Suleiman one step closer to being the new head of state, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

  

Source: Reuters By Tom Perry BEIRUT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Christians fear a prolonged political vacuum while the post of president is filled will weaken their position in a sectarian system that reserves ...

  

MANILA -- Filipinos working in Lebanon are safe amidst the tense political situation in the country due to a power vacuum, an official said.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president because rival leaders are still deadlocked over a compromise candidate, political sources said on Wednesday.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president because rival leaders are still deadlocked over a compromise candidate, political sources said on Wednesday.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's divided parliament is unlikely to hold a session this week to vote on a new president as rival leaders remained deadlocked over a compromise candidate, political sources said on Wednesday.

  

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that it placed its 'B-' long-term counterparty credit ratings on three Lebanese banks--Blom Bank sal, Bank Audi Sal - Audi Saradar Group (Banque Audi), and Bankmed, s.a.l.--on CreditWatch with negative implications.

  

Lebanon: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that it placed its 'B-' long-term counterparty credit ratings on three Lebanese banks--Blom Bank sal, Bank Audi Sal - Audi Saradar Group (Banque Audi), and Bankmed, s.a.l.--on CreditWatch with negative implications. [AMEInfo.com]

  

S&P: Three Lebanese bank 'B-' L-T ratings on Watch negative

  

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. (UPI Photo/Eco Clement via Newscom] There may be no celebrations this Christmas at Baabda, the vacant Lebanese presidential palace overlooking Beirut. President Emile Lahoud's term ended on Nov. 23 with no successor.

  

AIN AL HELWEH, Lebanon: Groups of Palestinian refugees protested in Lebanon yesterday against the US-hosted conference that aims to revive peace talks, fearing it would jeopardise their right to return home.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?A Muslim woman is allowed to fight back in self-defense if she is hit by her husband, Lebanon's top Shiite cleric declared Tuesday in a ruling rare for the region's male-dominated Islamic society.

  

A Muslim woman is allowed to fight back in self-defense if she is hit by her husband, Lebanon's top Shiite cleric declared Tuesday in a ruling rare for the region's male-dominated Islamic society.

  

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at American University of Beirut and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy will be holding a panel discussion entitled "The Culture of Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland and Lebanon: Does History Matter?"

  

US President George W. Bush on Tuesday used a Middle East peace conference to warn Syria's government against interfering in Lebanon's effort to elect a new president. Some 40 nations are attending the conference at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.Toward the end of his remarks, Bush turned his attention to Lebanon.

  

An-Nahar newspaper staged a news conference for the launch of the new supplement "Jarida Kids" at the An-Nahar Building in Beirut Tuesday. Project editors Jad Harb and Elyssar Moukawem announced the launch of the supplement, which will be aimed at children between the ages eight and 12.

  

Chunky young men face off in the cool autumn sunshine of a mountain town in Lebanon, a country gripped by political instability and fears of violence.

  

LEBANON - A 25-year-old Lebanon man who is awaiting sentencing for raping two women pleaded guilty Monday to a third sexual assault.

  

LEBANON - A 25-year-old Lebanon man who is awaiting sentencing for raping two women pleaded guilty Monday to a third sexual assault. David Ridenour was sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl that he met through a relative in 2005.

  

After going winless a year ago, it goes without saying there's nowhere for the Northern Lebanon girls' basketball program to go but up. But first-year head coach Ken Battistelli has a little different take on what constitutes improvement.

  

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Reuters) - One person was killed and eight were wounded on Tuesday in a gunfight sparked by a personal dispute between supporters and opponents of the Lebanese government in northern Lebanon, security sources said.

  

Beirut- At least one person was reported killed and seven were wounded Tuesday in a clash between an opposition Islamist group and supporters of anti-Syrian parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri in northern Lebanon. Followers of the pro-Syrian Is...

  

Source: Reuters TRIPOLI, Lebanon, Nov 27 (Reuters) - One person was killed and at least four were wounded on Tuesday in a gunfight between pro- and anti-government Lebanese factions in the northern port city of ...

  

LEBANON -- Two Lebanon men were arrested Monday in the robbery of a 30-year-old Lebanon man Monday evening on East Cumberland Street, Lebanon police said.

  

Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zughbi has dedicated her time entirely to prepare for the release of her new album by the end of coming December. She is having many meetings with her crew to think of new ideas for the cover of her new album and the first filmed song from the album.

  

Lebanon gets negative S&P ratings

  

Aruba Networks, Inc., a global leader in user-centric networks and secure mobility solutions, today announced that the American University of Beirut Medical Center, a leading not-for-profit teaching center of the Faculty of Medicine, has deployed Aruba Networks' wireless LAN and security solutions throughout the medical center. An extension of the American University of Beirut, which also has a ...

  

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos in Lebanon have been advised to stay indoors owing to the political situation in the country where the recent resignation of President Emile Lahoud resulted in a leadership vacuum.

  

Lebanon: Aruba Networks, Inc., a global leader in user-centric networks and secure mobility solutions, today announced that the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), a leading not-for-profit teaching center of the Faculty of Medicine, has deployed Aruba Networks' wireless LAN and security solutions throughout the medical center. [AMEInfo.com]

  

We have no need of ultra-violet or infra-red scanning devices to detect the transformation of the American policy in the Middle East, and for the first time clearly since the arrival of President Bush in the Oval Office more than six years ago.

  

BEIRUT, Nov 27 - Below is a table of the latest Lebanese economic statistics.

  

Syria's presence at the Annapolis peace conference Tuesday could help ease tensions in Lebanon, which has entered a leadership vacuum after rival factions reached deadlock over the election of a new president, analysts say.

  

LEBANON l It was difficult to find anyone happy with the $10.4 million budget adopted Monday night by the Lebanon City Council. Certainly not Mayor Bob Anspach, who presented it to the council at the beginning of the month.

  

BHAMDOUN, Lebanon - Chunky young men face off in the cool autumn sunshine of a mountain town in Lebanon, a country gripped by political instability and fears of violence.

  

BHAMDOUN, Lebanon, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Chunky young men face off in the cool autumn sunshine of a mountain town in Lebanon, a country gripped by political instability and fears of violence.

  

ETIHAD Airways is providing Lebanon-based air travellers greater access to its expanding global network, following the signing of a new code share agreement with Beirut-based carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA).

  

LEBANON - Tim Brunsman, warden of the Chillicothe Correctional Institution since 2004, has named the new warden of the Lebanon Correctional Institution.

  

So, yeah, Lebanon has no president.

  

The last time Faisal Samra presented his work in Beirut was in 2003, when he mounted two drastically different exhibitions - one of works on paper at the Agial Art Gallery in Hamra, the other of videos and installations at the now defunct Gallery at Fennel in Clemenceau. But in the last year alone, Samra has held three solo shows.

  

American University of Beirut professor Iman Nuwayhid, who teaches occupational health, has received a $200,000 grant from the US National Institutes of Health to conduct a two-year study on the exposure and neurotoxic effects of organic solvents in working adolescents in Lebanon, AUB said in statement issued Monday.

  

Saturday's announcement that Culture Minister Tarek Mitri would be representing Lebanon at the US-led Annapolis peace summit has been met with a generally positive reaction on the streets of Beirut despite the outspoken opposition of Hizbullah. There appeared to be wide consensus that Lebanon should attend.

  

LEBANON - Starting this week, a petition will circulate among downtown Lebanon business owners starting asking for more police patrols.

  

Beirut - The presidential crisis threatening Lebanon's stability and future looked to be on hold Monday, awaiting the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian summit in the United States. Despite ongoing political talks behind the scenes among Lebanese riv...

  

LEBANON - In his new office at Lebanon's city planning department, Walter Wendolowski has hung three framed ticket stubs from baseball games he has attended.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?Syria's ally Iran said Monday that the U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference has already failed.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?Syria's ally Iran said Monday that the U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference has already failed.

  

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The deadline set by the Lebanese Constitution for the country's Parliament to elect a new president expired at midnight Friday. No consensus was reached, and the departing president, Emile Lahoud, handed the task of insuring Lebanon's security to the army.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon?Syria's ally Iran said Monday that the U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference has already failed.

  

Singer Phil Collins accompanied his daughter to the celeb-studded Paris debutantes ball this weekend, an event that also saw the coming out of Kathleen Kennedy and Maria Abou Nader, niece of former Lebanese presidents Amine and Bachir Gemayel.

  

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said it placed its 'B-' long-term foreign and local currency sovereign ratings on the Republic of Lebanon on CreditWatch with negative implications after the Lebanese parliament failed to select a new president by the constitutional deadline.

  

BEIRUT, Nov 26 - Below is a table of the latest Lebanese economic statistics.

  

Lebanon: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said it placed its 'B-' long-term foreign and local currency sovereign ratings on the Republic of Lebanon on CreditWatch with negative implications after the Lebanese parliament failed to select a new president by the constitutional deadline. [AMEInfo.com]

  

LONDON ( Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's ) Nov. 26, 2007-- Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said it placed its 'B-' long-term foreign and local currency sovereign ratings on the Republic of Lebanon on CreditWatch with negative implications after the Lebanese parliament failed to select a new president by the constitutional deadline.

  

BEIRUT (AFP)--Lebanon entered a decisive week Monday during which parliament is due to elect a new president, with many warning that the country risks sliding into chaos if the political vacuum persists.

  

The deal, which comes into effect on 14 January 2008, gives air travellers a choice of 14 weekly services between the Lebanese and United Arab Emirates capitals to supplement Etihad Etihad 's nine weekly flights with the five currently flown by MEA MEA . Seat bookings will be available from the end of November.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday blamed U.S. interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel. Hezbollah's demand is bound to further complicate efforts to elect a new president to replace Emile Lahoud, who ...

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday blamed U.S. interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel.

  

Lebanese soldiers stand outside the parliament building in Beirut. Photo via Newscom

  

LONDON (Standard & Poor's) Nov. 26, 2007--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said it placed its 'B-' long-term foreign and local currency sovereign ratings on the Republic of Lebanon on CreditWatch with negative implications after the Lebanese parliament failed to select a new president by the constitutional deadline.

  

BEIRUT: Hezbollah yesterday blamed US interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel.

  

Last week's negative sentiments prevailing on the Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) spilled over to this week as a result of political bickering over the presidential election. The performance of the BSE continued to deteriorate, as eight of the 11 traded stocks declined, sending the BLOM Stock Index downward by 1.68 percent.

  

Hizbullah's number two blamed American interference on Sunday for Lebanon's presidential vacuum, accusing the United States of blocking attempts to reach consensus. "The hindering of consensus in Lebanon today ... is the result of American interference. America, after failing to impose its conditions.

  

Lebanon on Saturday was left without a president and plunged into a power vacuum in a bleak reminder of the final years of its 1975-90 Civil War. Incumbent Emile Lahoud stepped out of the fortified presidential palace at midnight on Friday, with no successor in sight after a feuding Parliament failed to convene to pick a new head of state.

  

BEIRUT - Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday blamed U.S. interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese opposition group Hezbollah said on Sunday that failure to reach agreement on a new president in the week ahead could leave the divided country without a head of state for a long time.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon, 10:49 a.m. Nov. 25 (AP): Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday blamed U.S. interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel.

  

With the Annapolis summit scheduled to begin Tuesday, top Israeli government policy officials have expressed to WND concerns Iran is on the brink of destabilizing Lebanon.

  

Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday blamed U.S. interference for the Lebanese parliament's inability to elect a president and added a new condition for choosing the next head of state: The leader must support the powerful Shiite Muslim group's fight against Israel.

  

Firefighters stomped out a fire this morning at several row homes in Lebanon city. The fire started shortly after 5 a.m. at the row homes at 1320 to 1324 Brandywine Street.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group said on Sunday a U.S.-hosted Middle East peace conference this week was only a "media show" in support of Israel.

  

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security on Friday after political rivalry blocked the election of his successor, hours before he was due to step down.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - The powerful Syrian-backed opposition party Hezbollah on Sunday contested the Western-backed government's decision to take charge of running Lebanon amid a presidential vacuum.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group said on Sunday a U.S.-hosted Middle East peace conference this week was only a "media show" in support of Israel.

  

Iran - Lebanon - Hosseini Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here Sunday that Tehran will support none of the Lebanese presidential candidates.

  

The head of Lebanon's Maronite Christian church has warned that the situation in the country is "critical" after Emile Lahoud's term as the president expired with no agreement on his successor.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese opposition group Hezbollah said on Sunday that failure to reach agreement on a new president in the week ahead could leave the divided country without a head of state for a long time.

  

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (AFP)--Eight Palestinians, four of them children, were wounded in a blast on Sunday in a refugee camp of north Lebanon where the army battled Islamists this summer, a Palestinian official said.

  

Lebanon: African leaders met with Zain CEO Dr Saad Al Barrak to discuss opportunities in accelerating economic growth through the further development of mobile telecoms infrastructure. [AMEInfo.com]

  

Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Saniora assured his people Saturday that the military was in control of the streets while lawmakers struggled to overcome a political crisis that has left the country without a president.

  

Tehran - Tehran on Sunday said it was no supporting any specific candidate in Lebanon's presidential elections. We are not supporting any specific candidate and just want harmonious cooperation between the factions, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Moham...

  

Lebanon: The nominees and the winners of Bespoke magazine's first annual Ultimate Awards have been announced and an issue dedicated to all the participants. [AMEInfo.com]

  

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security on Friday after political rivalry blocked the election of his successor, hours before he was due to step down.

  

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora stressed Saturday that his government maintains its responsibilities in line with the constitution in the case of the absence of a president, local Naharnet news website reported. The president' ...

  

BEIRUT (Thomson Financial) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Saturday stepped into the political vacuum left by parliament's failure to elect a president, but vowed to help find a head of state as quickly as possible.

  

The Iranian-backed Shia militant group is exploiting the tense political deadlock in Beirut to draw thousands of new fighters from across the sectarian divide.

  

LEBANESE Prime Minister Fouad Siniora yesterday called for calm amid fears of a resurgence of violence from Iran and Syria-backed Hezbollah in a growing power vacuum.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Saturday stepped into the political vacuum left by parliament's failure to elect a president, but vowed to help find a head of state as quickly as possible.

  

Prime Minister Fuad Saniora sought to calm the Lebanese on the country's first day without a president, assuring them that the military, which has vowed to stay out of politics, is on the streets to prevent violence while deadlocked factions work to resolve the crisis.

  

Lebanon awoke a republic without a president Saturday amid mounting worries over a power vacuum that has intensified the nation's yearlong political turmoil. The capital was calm and shops opened for business as usual the morning after a tumultuous day that saw President Emile Lahoud depart without a successor after announcing he was handing over security powers to the army. ...

  

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has assured his country there is no cause for alarm over a power vacuum; and said his cabinet was assuming executive powers in the absence of a president for the first time in nine years. Emile Lahoud's presidency expired at midnight on Friday.

  

The capital was calm and shops opened for business as usual the morning after a tumultuous day that saw President Emile Lahoud depart without a successor after announcing he was handing over security powers to the army.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora assured his country on Saturday there was no cause for alarm and said his cabinet was assuming executive powers in the absence of a president for the first time in nine years.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora vowed on Saturday to help elect a new president in Lebanon, left in limbo after its president stepped down at the end of his term with no elected successor.

  

Confusion reigns in Lebanon, where the post of president remains vacant after the departure of Emile Lahoud.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora assured Lebanese on Saturday there was no cause for alarm and said his cabinet was assuming executive powers in the absence of a president for the first time in nine years.

  

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora vowed on Saturday to help elect a new president in Lebanon, left in limbo after its president stepped down at the end of his term with no elected successor.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called for calm on Saturday as his cabinet assumed executive powers in the absence of a president.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon awoke a republic without president Saturday amid mounting worries over a power vacuum that has intensified the nation's year-long political turmoil.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon's political tumult intensified yesterday as President Emile Lahoud said the country is in a "state of emergency" and handed security powers to the army hours before leaving office without a successor. The rival...

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - 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.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Lebanon's political tumult intensified as President Emile Lahoud said the country is in a "state of emergency" and handed security powers to the army before he left office late Friday without a successor. The rival, pro-Western Cabinet rejected the declaration.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon stepped into uncharted territory on Saturday when time ran out on attempts to find a new president before Emile Lahoud's mandate expired.

  

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon late Friday expressed "regret" at the fifth postponement of the Lebanese Presidential election beyond President Emile Lahoud's term and urged all parties to maintain calm, intensify efforts and act responsibly within the constitutional framework.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon stepped into uncharted territory on Saturday when time ran out on attempts to find a new president before President Emile Lahoud's mandate expired.

  

Lebanon is in limbo as the president leaves office and rival factions argue over who now takes control.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon - The departing Lebanese president, Emile Lahoud, asked the military to take charge of the nation's security Friday, a few hours after the speaker of parliament prolonged the country's political crisis by postponing for a week a vote to choose a new president. But experts on Lebanese law said the president's declaration did not affect the relationship of the military to the ...

  

Lebanon's political tumult intensified as President Emile Lahoud said the country is in a "state of emergency" and handed security powers to the army before he left office late Friday without a successor. The rival, pro-Western Cabinet rejected the declaration.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanon faced an explosive power vacuum Saturday as President Emile Lahoud 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.

  

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his regret on Friday over the fifth postponement of the Lebanese presidential election beyond the term of the current incumbent, Emile Lahoud, urging all parties to maintain calm and to further inte ...

  

BEIRUT: Mit Ablauf der Amtszeit des pro-syrischen Prsidenten Emile Lahoud ist der Libanon ohne Staatsoberhaupt. Lahoud wurde mit militrischen Ehren verabschiedet und verlie den Prsidentenpalast. Wenige Stunden zuvor hatte er die Verantwortung fr die Sicherheit im Land der Armee bertragen.

  

Witnessing the prevailing political paralyses of Lebanon is a painful experience for someone like me who has a heartfelt love of the country and its cultured, entrepreneurial people. However, I can't imagine how devastating it must be for the Lebanese, who, for decades, have suffered on a rollercoaster of serial crises.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon stepped into uncharted territory on Saturday when time ran out on attempts to find a new president before President Emile Lahoud's mandate expired.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon plunged closer to chaos on Friday when President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security after political rivalries blocked the election of his successor hours before he was due to step down.

  

The United States on Friday urged all sides in Lebanon to maintain calm after the Lebanese parliament failed again to elect a new president, and warned US citizens living there to take precautions.

  

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security after political rivalry blocked the election of his successor.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security on Friday after political rivalry blocked the election of his successor, hours before he was due to step down.

  

The announcement raised further confusion amid Lebanon's political turmoil, which many fear could explode into violence between supporters of the government and the opposition.

  

President Emile Lahoud said Friday that Lebanon is in a "state of emergency" and ordered the army to take over security powers, hours before he was stepping down without a successor and leaving a political vacuum in the divided country. The pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora rejected the move, raising tensions.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security on Friday after political rivalry blocked the election of his successor, hours before he was due to step down.

  

The Bush administration on Friday urged all parties in Lebanon to remain calm and refrain from violence after the country's parliament was unable to elect a new president as required by the constitution.

  

Lebanese President Emil Lahoud has called on the Lebanese army Friday to preserve security in Lebanon, only hours before leaving office without a successor being named.

  

BEIRUT - President Emile Lahoud has ordered the army Friday to take over security powers in Lebanon, saying the country is in a state of emergency.

  

BEIRUT, Nov. 24 -- Lebanese factions failed to reach an agreement to replace President Emile Lahoud, whose term expired at midnight Friday, leaving Lebanon without a head of state for the first time since its 15-year civil war. Hours before stepping down, Lahoud ordered the already-mobilized army...

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's outgoing President Emile Lahoud asked the army to take control of the country's security on Friday, after rival leaders failed to agree on his successor, creating a vacuum in the presidency from midnight.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanese people spoke of their anguish and despair on Friday as feuding politicians failed to break the deadlock over a new president, threatening to plunge the country deeper into crisis.

  

Time is running out for rival factions in Lebanon to agree on a replacement for President Emile Lahoud whose term of office expires at midnight Friday.

  

The speaker of the Lebanese Parliament postponed until Nov. 30 the vote to elect a new president.

  

Lebanon again postponed an election to choose a new head of state by a midnight Friday deadline amid continuing deadlock between rival political factions and fears of a dangerous power vacuum.

  

In Beirut, Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has postponed a vote to elect the country's next president until November 30. The step allows more time for rival leaders to agree on a new head of state after the opposition boycotted the Friday session and prevented a needed quorum from being reached.

  

Source: Reuters By Jonathan Wright BEIRUT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Lebanese watched their politicians on Friday with a mixture of frustration at the deadlock over a new president and worry that ordinary people ...

  

Lebanon's parliament failed to elect a successor to President Emile Lahoud just hours before he was set to leave office after it was unable to convene due to an opposition boycott Friday.

  

Lebanon's parliament failed to elect a successor to President Emile Lahoud just hours before he was set to leave office after it was unable to convene due to an opposition boycott Friday.

  

Beirut, Lebanon - Rival leaders made last-ditch efforts Thursday to find a compromise candidate for Lebanon's presidency with no sign of a solution a day ahead of a constitutional deadline.

  

Lebanon's parliamentary speaker postponed a vote on Friday that was the last chance to choose a president before the pro-Syrian head of state, Emile Lahoud, leaves office at midnight.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - A parliament session on Friday for Lebanese lawmakers to elect a new head of state before a midnight deadline has been postponed for a week amid continuing deadlock between rival factions.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's turmoil worsened on Friday with rival political camps failing to find a consensus that would allow parliament to choose a new head of state before pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term expires at midnight.

  

BEIRUT, Lebanon - A Christian opposition leader made a last-minute proposal yesterday seeking to resolve Lebanon's impasse over the presidency and avert a dangerous power vacuum, but the pro-Western parliament majority rejected the idea.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's turmoil worsened on Friday with rival political camps failing to find a consensus that would allow parliament to choose a new head of state before pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term expires at midnight.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's turmoil worsened on Friday with rival political camps failing to find a consensus that would allow parliament to choose a new head of state before pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term expires at midnight.

  

A deadline for Lebanese lawmakers to elect a new head of state expires Friday with feuding political parties still deadlocked despite intense international pressure. A last-ditch session to elect a successor to incumbent president Emile Lahoud has been postponed.

  

Lebanon's political crisis looks set to deepen unless MPs can reach a last-minute deal on a new president.

  

BEIRUT: A last-ditch session by the Lebanese parliament to elect a president today - the deadline to replace head of state Emile Lahoud - has been postponed, an MP with the ruling majority said.

  

BEIRUT -- Squalls of rain lashed the offices of Carmen Geha and other young activists. Thunder rolling off the Mediterranean provided a cadence to their work. The weather was a little like politics this week in Lebanon -- turbulent and baleful. And Geha, optimistic against the odds, was determined...

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanon's political crisis deepened as the clocked ticked down to a midnight Friday deadline for lawmakers to elect a new president, with no breakthrough in sight despite intense diplomatic pressure.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's opposition will boycott a parliament session to elect a new president on Friday in the absence of a deal on who will replace the pro-Syria incumbent, whose term ends the same day, a senior opposition source said.

  

BEIRUT: Frankreich ist mit seinem jngsten Vermittlungsversuch zwischen den pro-westlichen und pro-syrischen Krften im Libanon gescheitert.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon was plunged deeper into political turmoil after the Syrian-backed opposition said it would boycott a Friday presidential election, hours before the term of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud ended at midnight.

  

Even if France were tempted to play guardian again for the Christians in Lebanon -- with the approval of the American empire, instead of the Ottoman Empire this time -- the official Arab and international order could not directly imprint itself on Lebanon in a way favourable to the opposition, not even the Christian opposition, which makes up most of the Christian representatives in the Lebanese ...

  

Failure to elect a new president on time could lead to a power vacuum, or two rival governments, much like during the last two years of the 1975-90 civil war.

  

Failure to elect a new president on time could lead to a power vacuum, or two rival governments, much like during the last two years of the 1975-90 civil war.

  

Lebanon's opposition will boycott a parliament session to elect a new president on Friday with no deal among leaders on who will replace the pro-Syria incumbent, whose term ends the same day, a senior opposition source said.

  

Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition will boycott a parliament session on Friday to elect a new head of state in the absence of a deal with the majority on a consensus candidate, a senior opposition source said.

  

BEIRUT, Nov 22, 2007 (AFP) - A deadline for Lebanese lawmakers to elect a new head of state was set to expire Friday with feuding political parties still deadlocked despite intense international pressure.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's parliament is unlikely to elect a new head of state on Friday in the last few hours of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term, because rival leaders have failed to clinch a deal despite French-led mediation.

  

Beirut _ Lebanese streets were tense and brimming with rumours on the eve of a possible parliament vote on a new president to take office.

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's parliament is unlikely to elect a new head of state on Friday in the last few hours of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term, because rival camps have failed to clinch a deal despite French-led mediation.

  

BEIRUT (AFP)--Lebanese opposition leader Michel Aoun proposed Thursday that his camp name an interim president and that the ruling majority appoint a prime minister to end a long-running presidential row.

  

Rival leaders made last-ditch efforts Thursday to find a compromise candidate for Lebanon's presidency with no sign of a solution a day ahead of a constitutional deadline

  

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun proposed on Thursday the election of an interim president named by him as a way out of the country's political deadlock.

  

A vote by the Lebanese parliament to elect a president Friday -- the deadline to replace head of state Emile Lahoud -- has been postponed again, Solange Gemayel, an MP with the ruling majority, told AFP.

  

BEIRUT - Lebanon's parliament is unlikely to elect a new head of state on Friday in the last few hours of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term because rival camps have failed to clinch a deal, despite French-led mediation.

  

Rival leaders made last-ditch efforts Thursday to find a compromise candidate for Lebanon's presidency with no sign of a solution a day ahead of a constitutional deadline.

  

Lebanon's parliament is unlikely to elect a new president on Friday in the last few hours before the pro-Syrian incumbent's term ends because rival camps have failed to clinch a deal, despite French-led mediation.

  

Lebanon's parliament session to elect a new president is unlikely to be held on Friday as efforts to end the country's political standoff remained deadlocked, political sources said on Thursday.

  

BEIRUT (AFP) - Foreign envoys and Lebanese leaders were engaged in make-or-break talks on Thursday on holding a presidential election as the clock ticked down to a Friday deadline with no breakthrough in sight.

  

Beirut - Lebanon's Independence Day, usually celebrated with a military parade and festivities, was marked Thursday by empty streets and a sombre mood as the country's leaders remained divided on the election of a new president by Friday's deadline. ...

  

Dave Roberts LEBANON - The Waynesville High School boys' basketball team will just be getting back its full squad when it begins play in the Lebanon Central Bank Classic next week.

  

Lebanon marked its independence day on Thursday gripped by anxiety about the failure so far of rival political camps and a slew of foreign mediators to clinch agreement on a new president and avert possible violence.

  

BEIRUT: Lebanon on Thursday is marking 64 years since officiall