BEIRUT, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Police Chief Gen. Ashraf Rifi has ruled out the possibility of a new civil war due to the political crisis, local Naharnet news website reported on Saturday.

    "We don't have signs that any side wants" civil war, Rifi was quoted as saying after meeting Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir on Friday, adding the government's top priority is to prevent a civil war.

    But he did not rule out new assassinations in Lebanon, saying that "There is always a possibility."

    Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been vacant since Nov. 24, 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.

    A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect a new president has been postponed for 17 times to April 22.

    The presidency deadlock deepened the Lebanese political crisis as fears are mounting that failure in reaching a deal on the presidential candidate could result in more violence in the country.