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Decision could break political deadlock in Lebanon

  • Story Highlights
  • Christian opposition leader says he could back army chief for president
  • Michel Aoun is himself backed for job by Hezbollah
  • Lebanon has been without a president since Friday
  • Army chief's selection would require change to constitution
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BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Lebanese Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said Thursday he could support the candidacy of Lebanon's army chief to become the country's new president.

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Gen. Michel Sleiman is chief of Lebanon's army. Making him president would require a change to the constitution.

Aoun, who is himself backed for the presidency by Hezbollah, said he could support the candidacy of Gen. Michel Sleiman.

Lebanon has been without a president since Friday, when the term of Emile Lahoud expired. The Lebanese Parliament, which elects the president, has been unable to settle on a candidate.

Although the endorsement from Aoun, who is a former general, indicates a coalition may be building, Sleiman's election would require a change in the Lebanese Constitution.

As it stands, the constitution does not allow a civil servant to run for president.

The Lebanese Parliament is scheduled to meet again Friday in an attempt to select a candidate.

The deadlock arises from a power struggle between pro-Western parties and parties such as Hezbollah that have the support of Syria. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

CNN's Nada Husseini contributed to this report.

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