Lebanese president to be elected in one week

In press statements today, Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said that General Emile Lahoud assuming the presidency does not mean that Lebanon will have military rule, adding that the battle is not over the presidency but a battle over the government's reshuffle.

The Lebanese Parliamentary Council will elect Lahoud, the army's leader, as the successor of the current president, Elias Hrawi, whose presidential term will end on November 24, in a session to be held on October 15.

The Daily Star reported today that Berri and Prime Minister Hariri are in conflict over who will fill ministerial positions in the new government.