[Will this 18th attempt at electing the Lebanese President finally be successful? Lebanon is prophesied to become one of the most prosperous economies in the world. It seems hard to imagine, since they haven't solved this political dilemma.]

2008-04-22

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Monday for immediate presidential elections in Lebanon without foreign interference and told Syria and Iran they must support the disarmament of Hezbollah's well-armed militia.

Ban highlighted the mounting international concern over Lebanon's failure to fill the top post, left vacant after pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud stepped down last November. He also warned that Lebanon will not be a fully sovereign, democratic state until Hezbollah is disbanded.