Beirut - Lebanon's parliament yesterday elected the army commander, Gen Emile Lahoud, as the country's first new president since the end of its 1975-'90 civil war.
Although the backing of Syria was crucial, the man who rebuilt Lebanon's army from the ashes of the conflict into a nonsectarian force had enjoyed broad popular support. Gen Lahoud (62) was backed by all 118 deputies who attended the session of parliament. The 10 absentees were mainly associated with Mr Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Druze minority who had objected to the selection of an army commander as president.
Gen Lahoud takes office on November 24th, replacing President Elias Hrawi, who had a relatively low profile throughout his nine years in office.