Presidential elections in Lebanon delayed

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Lebanon will remain without a president for an additional 15 days after parliamentary leaders again delayed a vote to elect the country's next leader.

Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said the presidential vote has been delayed for the 14th time to date, moving from next Monday to Feb. 26, KUNA reported Saturday.

Since President Emile Lahoud's term ended Nov. 23, 2007, Lebanon has been without a president as politicians deadlocked on a successor.

The presidential crisis has led to the involvement of Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, who has called for Lebanon's army chief, Gen. Michel Suleiman, to be elected the country's head of state, the Kuwaiti news agency reported.

Moussa wants Lebanon to adopt a national unity government following the election of Suleiman as president.

KUNA said that while rival political groups have tentatively agreed to support Suleiman, they have failed to compromise on specific details of the reformed government.