Lebanese MPs from both opposition and the government majority said on Sunday they expect a presidential vote, due in two days, to be delayed again, leaving the country once more without a president.
The meeting on Tuesday will be the 16th that parliament has set to elect a president since pro-Syrian head of state Emile Lahoud stepped down at the end of his term late in November. "Tuesday's session like any previous session that was scheduled will be delayed," opposition Hezbollah MP Hassan Hoballah told AFP. "The election is tied to a political agreement."
"I do not expect a session on Tuesday because the same obstacles remain," majority MP Wael Abu Faour said. "The Syrian regime is increasing its demands as occurred with Amr Mussa during his visit. There are efforts underway from an Arab party, but until now it is still impossible."
Arab League chief Amr Mussa has made several trips to Lebanon to try to break the impasse between the majority, backed by the West and most Arab states, and the opposition, backed by Syria and Iran. His efforts have failed thus far, although the Arab initiative is still on the table. The opposition placed blame on the majority and the United States for the impasse.