Lebanon's presidential election was postponed again on Friday, despite rival leaders' agreement in principle to give the post to army chief Michel Suleiman in a step that would ease the country's deep political crisis.
Lawmakers gathered at the tightly guarded parliament in downtown Beirut for a 1 pm (1100 GMT) session, only for it to be called off until noon (1000 GMT) on Tuesday, the seventh delay since the first attempt to hold the vote on September 25. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a leading member of the opposition, announced the delay in a statement read on his behalf after holding talks with majority leader Saad al-Hariri.
The call for a new session on December 11 showed the two sides believe they are within reach of a political deal that would ensure a two-thirds quorum for parliament to elect Suleiman. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been leading international mediation efforts, said he was "more than half optimistic" on the chances of a deal between the anti-Syrian ruling majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition.
Kouchner said there was "still a small chance for failure, but I have the feeling that the duty is accomplished". Speaking to reporters before leaving Beirut, he said obstacles were being overcome but urged Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, who has his own demands, to do more. "I think that general Aoun has to make an effort," he said.