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Beirut: Lebanon should move swiftly to elect a president, a US envoy said on Saturday, two days before parliament meets to pick the army chief as head of state.
Doubts still remain over whether the assembly session will take place for a vote that has already been delayed eight times by disputes between Lebanon's pro- and anti-Syrian factions.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Welch said, "It is the belief of the United States that it's time now for Lebanon to elect its next president."
He added, "It is time ... for the members of parliament to fulfil their duty and go to parliament and vote. This is what Lebanon needs to face the challenges it has."
Two weeks ago, both sides agreed in principle to elect the army commander, General Michel Suleiman, to replace pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, whose term expired on November 23.
But differences on how to amend the constitution to permit a top public servant to run for office are still unresolved.
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