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Lebanon PM Tries to Ease Fears of Unrest

He takes control as nation begins stretch without president

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 24, 2007 12:52 PM CST
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(Newser) – Lebanon's PM called for calm today and said his cabinet would run the nation while it remains without a president, Reuters reports. Fouad Siniora also pledged to push for quick elections. The developments come a day after President Emile Lahoud's term ended without a successor in place. Siniora rejected Lahoud's bid to transfer power to the military in the interim.

"When the presidency is vacant, the powers of the presidency devolve to the cabinet, which is the legitimate and constitutional cabinet," Siniora said. Western and Arab powers including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan are likely to recognize the cabinet's claim, Reuters notes. Daily life in Beirut remained stable despite the turmoil.

Two Lebanese cameramen, recording the empty presidential chair after the former Lebanese president Emile Lahoud stepped down late Friday without a successor, at the Presidential palace in the Beirut suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday Nov. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
Two Lebanese cameramen, recording the empty presidential chair after the former Lebanese president Emile Lahoud stepped down late Friday without a successor, at the Presidential palace in the Beirut suburb...   (Associated Press)
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud waves as he leaves the presidential palace in the Beirut suburb of Baabda, Lebanon late Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. Lebanon's political tumult intensified as President Emile Lahoud said the country is in a state of emergency and handed security powers to the army before he left...
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud waves as he leaves the presidential palace in the Beirut suburb of Baabda, Lebanon late Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. Lebanon's political tumult intensified as President Emile...   (Associated Press)
t Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora attends a cabinet meeting in Beirut's Governmental Palace a few hours after the parliament failed to elect a new president to replace president Emile Lahoud, whose mandate expires at midnight, 23 November 2007.
t Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora attends a cabinet meeting in Beirut's Governmental Palace a few hours after the parliament failed to elect a new president to replace president Emile Lahoud, whose...   (Getty Images)
An anti-Lebanese president and a pro-government supporter, gives white flowers to Lebanese army soldiers who stand on their armored vehicle while patroling the area were other supporters were dancing and beating drums and shouting Lahoud out as they gathered in a Sunni Muslim neighborhood celebrating the departure of president Emile...
An anti-Lebanese president and a pro-government supporter, gives white flowers to Lebanese army soldiers who stand on their armored vehicle while patroling the area were other supporters were dancing...   (Associated Press)
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Lebanon • Lebanese Army • Fouad Siniora • Beirut • Emile Lahoud

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