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Beirut: Lebanon on Friday postponed its presidential election to January 21, the 12th such delay, despite efforts by the Arab League to get rival leaders to agree an Arab plan to end the country's crisis.
Parliament had been due to meet on Saturday to confirm army commander General Michel Suleiman as head of state but lack of a deal between the Western-backed majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition meant it could not meet.
The delay follows three days of intense talks by Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa with rival leaders in Beirut on the Arab plan that calls for the election of Suleiman, formation of a national unity government and drafting a new law for a parliamentary election that is due next year.
Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Syrian-backed Emile Lahoud ended on November 23.
The Arab League chief acknowledged differences remained and had hinted of delay, telling reporters: "Lebanon's problem is heavy and needs more time."
At the heart of the dispute is a long-standing opposition demand for veto power in government.
Political sources said Mousa's plan does not grant equal representation with the majority or veto power, but it deprives the ruling coalition of a simple majority of cabinet seats.
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