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Decision could break political deadlock in Lebanon |
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Written by CNN
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Gen. Michel Sleiman is chief of Lebanon's army. Making him president would require a change to the constitution.
Lebanese Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said Thursday he could support the candidacy of Lebanon's army chief to become the country's new president.
Story Highlights
• Christian opposition leader says he could back army chief for president
• Michel Aoun is himself backed for job by Hezbollah
• Lebanon has been without a president since Friday
• Army chief's selection would require change to constitution
Aoun, who is himself backed for the presidency by Hezbollah, said he could support the candidacy of Gen. Michel Sleiman.
Lebanon has been without a president since Friday, when the term of Emile Lahoud expired. The Lebanese Parliament, which elects the president, has been unable to settle on a candidate.
Although the endorsement from Aoun, who is a former general, indicates a coalition may be building, Sleiman's election would require a change in the Lebanese Constitution.
As it stands, the constitution does not allow a civil servant to run for president.
The Lebanese Parliament is scheduled to meet again Friday in an attempt to select a candidate.
The deadlock arises from a power struggle between pro-Western parties and parties such as Hezbollah that have the support of Syria.
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