"Most of the greatest evils that man has inflicted upon man have come through people feeling quite certain about something which, in fact, was false." Bertrand Russel (1870-1970)
A parliamentary vote to elect Lebanon's president has been delayed for a 14th time. The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, said the vote was now scheduled for 26 February.
Lebanon has been without a president since 23 November due to divisions between the pro-Western ruling majority and pro-Syrian opposition.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has left Beirut after failing to mediate a solution to the crisis.
Mr Moussa has been to Lebanon three times this year to promote a plan calling for the election of the Lebanese army chief, General Michel Suleiman, as president, followed by the formation of a national unity government.
Rival Lebanese factions have agreed in principle to elect Gen Suleiman, but have repeatedly disagreed over constitutional details and the make-up of the cabinet.
The governing coalition has rejected an opposition demand for veto power in the government or a three-way split that would share portfolios equally between it, the ruling coalition and ministers appointed by the president.
The deadlock over the president is Lebanon's worst political crisis since the country's long civil war ended in 1990.
Madness takes over Lebanon. Militants are fighting in the streets of Beirut. Military guns are on both sides. What is the prospect of such a situation. Aren't the Lebanese fed-up with wars?
23 November 2007 Lebanese President Emile Lahoud left the Baabda presidential palace without handing over the power to a new president. This is the first time since independence in 1943.
