The Republic of Lebanon woke up Saturday to a state without a president, a government termed "illegitimate" by the Hizbullah-led opposition and an army guarding social order. The former pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud left the Baabda Republican Palace at midnight Friday, ending a controversial term of nine years in office after Parliament failed to elect a successor hurling the nation into power vacuum.
"Lahoud's term end to a republic without a president," the Beirut daily an-Nahar headlined its front page. "Political and security guarantees govern the transition era," it added.
"Lahoud walked out," celebrated al-Moustaqbal daily, which is affiliated with MP Saad Hariri, leader of the parliamentary majority bloc that opposed Lahoud.
"A republic without head .. protected by organized vacuum," outlined as-Safir newspaper in its front-page banner.
Businesses and public institutions were open for normal services Saturday as calm prevailed over Lebanon, Naharnet reported.
Meanwhile, prime minister Fuoad Saniora had rejected a controversial last minute measure by Lahoud ordering the army to enforce law and order after claiming that "risks of a state of emergency" prevail over the nation. A three-article statement signed by Lahoud said: "The risks of a state of emergency prevail over all the territories of the Republic of Lebanon as of Nov. 24.
"The army is assigned the task of maintaining security and all military forces would be placed at the army's service," the statement added.
It said that once a "legitimate government is formed" the army command would coordinate its moves with it.
A statement issued by Saniora's press office however said the presidential move is "not factual and not based on constitutional or legal authorities." It recalled that, constitutionally, only the government has the authority to declare a state of emergency, subject to revision by parliament in eight days.
The Saniora statement said Lahoud wants to allude that the nation is facing serious threats "at a time security prevails because the army maintains the nation's security and protects the people's safety."
The statement concluded by stressing that the government is both "legal and constitutional."
On his part, Interior Minister Hassan Sabaa noted that the army was entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order days before the Lahoud declaration and the regular force is "carrying out its duties."
