Lebanese assembly fails to pick president

The Lebanese parliament has failed to elect a new president. Speaker Nabih Berri said a two-thirds quorum had not been reached. The opposition boycotted the session.

Deputy parliamentary speaker Farid Makari announced that the session would be postponed to October 23.

Inside the chamber, there was a stark reminder of the realities of Lebanese politics, with large photographs of murdered MPs from the anti-Syrian majority placed on seats. The latest such killing took place just last week.

The pro-Syrian opposition want a deal on a consensus candidate before its deputies will attend. Lebanon is experiencing its worst political crisis since the civil war. Amid fears of further assassinations, thousands of troops and armed police guarded the parliament building.

A successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud must be elected by November 24.