BEIRUT, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese parliament on
Sunday approved army chief Michel Suleiman as the new president of the country.
Of the 127 lawmakers casting their ballots, 118 voted
for Suleiman's election, six abstained, and three voted for others, local
Naharnet news website reported.
As the consensus candidate of rival Lebanese blocs,
Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman became the president on Sunday following six
months of presidential vacancy.
Parliament Speaker and opposition leader Nabih Berri
announced at the parliamentary headquarters that "Michel Suleiman got 118 votes
and I declare him president of Lebanon."
Many Arab and international guests, including Arab
League Secretary General Amr Moussa, the European Union (EU) foreign policy
chief Javier Solana, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Iranian Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and a delegation from the U.S. Congress, attend the
session.
This election came after the Western-backed ruling
coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition reached an agreement in Doha early
Wednesday to end the country's 18-month-long political crisis.
The feuding Lebanese political groups have long
agreed on Suleiman as a consensus candidate to succeed ex-President Emile Lahoud
who ended his term on Nov. 24, but a deadlock over the line-up of a national
unity government had forced the vote to be postponed for 19
times.
Profile: Lebanese new President Michel Suleiman
BEIRUT, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's army chief Michel Suleiman was sworn in as president at the parliament headquarters in Beirut on Sunday, ending a six-month-long presidential vacancy. Following is a profile of the consensus president:
Suleiman appeared to be accepted by most Lebanese parties for his neutral political affiliation during most political confrontations between Lebanese pro-government and opposition groups. Full story
Suleiman sworn in as Lebanese president
BEIRUT, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's new president Michel Suleiman was sworn in on Sunday at the parliament headquarters in Beirut, ending a six-month-long presidential vacancy.
"I pledge to respect and protect Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and its constitution," Suleiman said in his address to the nation. Full story
Lebanon's newly elected president calls for unity
BEIRUT, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's new President Michel Suleiman called for unity among his countrymen after taking oath as president following a parliamentary vote here on Sunday.
"I pledge to respect and protect Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and its constitution," Suleiman said in his address to the nation. Full story
