Lebanese opposition group Hezbollah and its allies say they will boycott a parliamentary session called for Tuesday to elect a new president. | Pro-Syrian opposition members say they will stay away from parliament if there is no consensus with the anti-Syrian ruling majority on a presidential candidate. |
Lebanese parliament speaker and opposition leader Nabih Berri called the session to pick a successor to his Syrian-backed ally, President Emile Lahoud, whose term ends November 24. An opposition boycott of parliament would prevent it from mustering a two-thirds quorum required for a vote. Lebanon's president is chosen by parliament, rather than the public. Berri said Monday he is optimistic a deal can be reached with the Western-backed government on a new president by November.