Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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November 24, 2007

Lebanon's PM Seeks to Allay Fears of Political Vacuum
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1A5B1C3:A6F02AD83191E160C99E6FCC33413A8F2E7CA1C1B166B639& Fuad Siniora says
his government will continue to function according to constitution,
adding its main goal is to complete presidential election process





Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Siniora (file photo)

Lebanon's pro-Western Prime Minister, Fuad Siniora, is seeking to
assure the Lebanese people there is no danger of violence, following
the departure from office of his rival, pro-Syrian President Emile
Lahoud, without a successor.

Mr. Siniora said Saturday his government will continue to function
according to the constitution. He added that its main goal is to
complete the presidential election process.

The Lebanese parliament failed again to elect a new head of state
Friday. Before leaving office, Mr. Lahoud declared a state of
emergency and ordered the army to take charge of the nation's
security. He stepped down as president Friday night when his term
expired.

Mr. Siniora said there is no need for a state of emergency in Lebanon,
and he emphasized the army would continue to patrol the streets to
maintain security.

There have been no reports of unrest in the capital, Beirut.



The United States and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are urging
Lebanon's political factions to maintain calm and promote security for
Lebanon's citizens.

Lebanese political leaders scheduled another presidential vote in
parliament for November 30.

Parliament's presidential election has been postponed five times, in
an attempt to find a consensus choice as head of state acceptable to
Lebanon's pro-Western governing coalition and the pro-Syrian,
Hezbollah-led opposition.

Failure to elect a new president could leave two rival governments
battling for control, similar to the situation near the end of
Lebanon's 15-year civil war in 1990.

The U.S. State Department issued an advisory Friday, warning U.S.
citizens in Lebanon of the possibility of demonstrations and
unrest.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and
Reuters.


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