By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BEIRUT, Lebanon – On January 6, Arab League foreign ministers agreed on a plan to end the political impasse in Lebanon.  The Arab League unanimously agreed that General Michel Suleiman, the current army chief, should be elected to be the next president.  The plan proposes that the president should be the arbitrator of any tied decisions.  In addition, the plan also says that a national unity government should be formed in such a way so that “the composition does not allow any decision to be imposed or blocked by any one party.”

Lebanon has been without a president since November 23, 2007, when Lahoud’s term ended and the parties failed to elect a successor.  Initially, the parties failed to agree on a suitable candidate.  Later, when the parties agreed that Suleiman should be the next president, the parties disagreed over the details of a national unity government.  The Lebanese parliament is set to meet on January 12, for the 12th time, to elect the next president.

Saad al-Hariri, the leader of Lebanon’s parliamentary majority, welcomed the decision.  Hariri stated that the Lebanese should welcome the Arab League’s plan as an opportunity to reach a consensus and elect a new president.  Hezbollah, the main opposition party, was more hesitant to welcome the plan and wanted more clarification on the details of the next government.  Earlier, Hezbollah conditioned any possible resolution on a grant of veto power to the opposition.

While the plan does not overtly grant the opposition veto power, it does not attack Syria and it enhances the role of General Suleiman who is seen as pro-Syrian.  Also, according to Arab diplomatic sources, Syria supports the plan.  This suggests that even though the plan does not grant Hezbollah outright veto power, that an agreement may be reached.

For more information, please see:
Daily Star – Rival Lebanese Leaders Welcome Arab League Proposal to Elect Suleiman – 8 January 2008

Gulfnews – Arabs Strike Lebanon Deal – 7 January 2008

New York Times – Arab League Backs Plan to End Lebanon Stalemate – 7 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Hariri Welcomes Arab League Plan – 6 January 2008

Associated Press – Arabs Back General as Lebanese President – 6 January 2008

BBC – Arab League Backs Lebanon Plan – 6 January 2008

International Herald Tribune – Arab Plan for Lebanon Wins Broad Support – 6 January 2008

BBC – Hezbollah Sets Resolution Terms – 4 January 2008