Across Asia: Lebanon

Army chief's ultimatum

Lebanon's army commander warned feuding political factions in remarks published yesterday that he would bow out of the presidential race and leave his post by midsummer, if the two sides continue wrangling and his election as compromise candidate is not secured by then.

The threat by General Michel Suleiman to quit as army chief was viewed as an ultimatum to both the anti-Syrian parliament majority and the Syrian-backed opposition to break the deadlock that has left Lebanon without a president since Nov.