French FM back to Beirut to discuss presidential crisis: official
BEIRUT (AFP) — French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was headed back to Lebanon for talks with feuding political leaders on the presidential vacuum, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora's office said Tuesday.
"Mr Kouchner is expected in Lebanon this afternoon and is due to meet with the premier after his arrival," a spokesman at Siniora's office told AFP.
Local television said that Kouchner, whose country has spearheaded international efforts to end the political crisis, would also meet leaders from the Western-backed ruling majority and the Hezbollah-backed opposition.
Lebanon has been without a president since November 25, when incumbent Emile Lahoud stepped down at the end of his term and with the feuding parties unable to agree on a successor.
Negotiations in recent days have focused on army chief General Michel Sleiman, who was formally endorsed by the ruling majority on Monday.
The opposition has also said it would back Sleiman for the top job, but with conditions.
Sleiman's election would require an amendment to the constitution.
Six sessions of parliament to elect a successor to Lahoud have already been postponed because of the bickering between the parties, and a seventh session is scheduled for this Friday.
Lebanon's president is elected by lawmakers rather than by popular suffrage and must be a Christian Maronite, in accordance with the country's confessional system.
