Parliamentary session to select new president postponed again to 12 November. Hizbollah-aligned parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and anti-Syrian March 14 coalition leader Saad Hariri met 19 October to discuss possible successors to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud. Rival Christian leaders Amin Gemayel and Michel Aoun also held talks 21 October. First Israeli-Hizbollah prisoner exchange since 2006 war 15 October: Israeli civilian’s body swapped for Hizbollah prisoner and bodies of 2 militants. UN began returning displaced Palestinians to Nahr al-Bared refugee camp 10 October.

Critical parliamentary vote on new president delayed to 23 October as Hizbollah-led opposition boycotted 25 September session. Postponement in wake of 19 September assassination of Antoine Ghanim, member of pro-Western ruling coalition March 14. Ghanim is eighth anti- Syrian MP killed since 2005 and further radicalises March 14, reducing prospects for compromise presidential candidate after Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud’s term ends late November. Army took control of Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, declared victory over Fatah al-Islam militants 2 September. Over 300 dead, including 164 soldiers, in 105- day siege. Lebanese said Israeli fighter jets violated airspace 18 September.

Army continued bombardment of Fatah al- Islam militants in Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. 63 women, children evacuated 24 August, some 70 fighters remain. In 5 August by-elections to replace assassinated governing coalition MPs Walid Eido and Pierre Gemayel, coalition won in Beirut, lost in Christian heartland Metn. Camille Khoury, of Michel Aoun’s Hezbollah-allied party, narrowly defeated Gemayel’s father and former president, Amin. UNSC 24 August authorised 1-year extension of 13,000-strong peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) deployed after 2006 Israel- Lebanon war. Netherlands agreed to host UN tribunal on 2005 assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri.

Lebanese troops intensified offensive against Fatah al-Islam militants in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. Since 20 May start, fighting killed over 200 including at least 120 soldiers; almost all 30,000 camp residents have fled. Militants fired Katyusha rockets on nearby villages. France hosted talks with 14 main Lebanese political parties near Paris 14-15 July: attempt to break 8-month deadlock with presidential elections set for 25 September. French FM Kouchner in Beirut 28 July for follow-up talks with pro-Western PM Fouad Siniora, pro- Syrian parliamentary leader Nabi Berri, Hezbollah and others. UN asked Netherlands to host special tribunal to try suspects in 2005 killing of former PM Rafiq Hariri. In videotape, al- Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahri blessed 24 June roadside bomb attack that killed 6 UN peacekeepers. Bomb 16 July struck UN vehicle but no casualties. French UN peacekeeper killed 25 July in south by explosion of ordnance from 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.

Fierce battles between Lebanese army and Fatah al-Islam (FAI) group continued throughout month in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp north of Tripoli, Ain al Hilwe camp (against Jund al-Sham - supporters of FAI) near Sidon and latterly in Tripoli itself: military reported over 200 killed since fighting started 20 May. Lebanese Salafi jihadis called FAI and its ideology "mistake", but have been recruiting elsewhere and built power bases in other refugee camps. MP Walid Eido became seventh anti-Syrian figure to be assassinated since 2005; his son and 8 others also died in 13 June blast. Eido’s death leaves anti-Syrian bloc with slim majority of 3 in parliament. Governing coalition continued to refuse to give opposition one-third of cabinet seats needed for veto power. 6 UN peacekeepers from Spain and Colombia killed after their vehicle was hit by explosive device 24 June; Hizbollah denied responsibility. 2 Katyusha rockets fired by local Salafi jihadi group in Lebanon exploded near northern Israeli border town of Kiryat Shmona 18 June.

Worst internal fighting since end of civil war in 1990 erupted from 19 May. Army battled with Islamist militant group Fatah al-Islam after security forces targeted it for criminal activity; 79 killed in ensuing clashes in Tripoli and nearby Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al-Bared; 25,000 refugees reportedly fled camp. Damascus denied allegations of involvement. 20 Fatah al-Islam members, including 1 Syrian, charged with terrorism 30 May. UNSC voted 31 May to establish international tribunal to try suspects in killing of former PM Rafik Hariri under Chapter VII (allowing military enforcement); supported by PM Fouad Siniora but denounced by Hezbollah as foreign interference.

Political tensions escalated. MP Saad Hariri’s Future Movement issued statement 16 April questioning legitimacy of Hezbollah’s arms. Impasse intensified over tribunal to address 2005 assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri, prompting U.S. suggestion UNSC impose tribunal, and interventions by Russian deputy FM, UN counsel and UNSG Ban Ki-moon. Controversy building over procedures for September presidential elections.

Political paralysis continued. Regional mediation efforts increased but failed to produce results. Saudi Arabia launched initiative involving deal on international tribunal and establishment of government of national unity, followed by preparation of new electoral law; but details not clear. Arrests of members of Islamist group Fatah al-Islam implicated Syrians and Saudis in connection with February blasts in Ayn Alaq.

January violence gave way to uneasy February calm while political stalemate continued. Aware that political escalation would lead to sectarian clashes, Hezbollah called for restraint. All political actors now waiting for external forces to unblock situation, including via Iran-Saudi and Saudi-Syrian dialogues. 13 February, day before second anniversary of Hariri assassination, bombs exploded on 2 buses in Christian area of Beirut killing 2. Government blamed Syria and accused it of smuggling weapons to Hezbollah; Damascus denied both. UN chief legal counsel signed agreement 6 February to create tribunal to try suspects in Hariri assassination and killings of other anti- Syrian figures. Agreement now awaits signature from parliament. Israeli warplanes continued to fly over south Lebanon, despite UN resolution 1701, leading to Lebanese military firing anti-aircraft rounds 21 February.

Political stalemate between western-backed Siniora government and opposition led by Hizbollah descended into violence. Clashes erupted in central and northern Lebanon between Hizbollah and Sunni opponents while opposition demonstrations in central Beirut turned violent as rival Sunni government supporters and Shiite opponents at Beirut’s Arab University clashed 25 January; 4 killed and more than 150 injured. 3 died in clashes amid general strike called by Hizbollah 23 January. Opposition pulled its demonstrators off streets 25 January amid fears of escalation. Iran and Saudi Arabia emerged as mediators in dispute but compromise proposals rejected by both sides. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expected to return to Lebanon early February to resume negotiation on package that includes enlarged cabinet and “neutral” minister in exchange for agreement on international tribunal; would reduce Hizbollah ability to block government but also remove government’s two-thirds majority. Paris (III) donors conference saw $7.6bn pledged to help long-term recovery from 2006 conflict between Hizbollah and Israel.