UN chief 'extremely concerned' about delay in Lebanon's presidential vote

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Wednesday he was "extremely concerned" about Lebanon's delay in choosing a president and has spoken to the country's political rivals to press for a swift resolution. Lebanon's parliament is scheduled to meet Friday to approve army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman for the presidency - a compromise candidate after months of wrangling that has left the country in a political vacuum. But a leading member of the parliamentary majority accused the pro-Syria opposition this week of raising new obstacles to the election. Ban has spoken in recent days with Western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, majority leader Saad Hariri and opposition-aligned Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to urge a solution, according to a statement released by his office.