Lebanese President Emile Lahoud
#8. Power Vacuum in Lebanon
Nov. 23: Syrian-backed president Emile Lahoud completes his term of office, but the continuing deadlock between the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and the Syria- and Iran-backed opposition led by Hizballah prevents the naming of a successor. Negotiations continue amid fears of a power vacuum, but the regional power struggles that shape Lebanese politics show no sign of producing a quick solution.