Lebanese President declares state of emergency

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud ordered the army to take over security powers today, saying the country is in a "state of emergency".

The move came hours before he was due to step down without a successor, leaving the divided country in a political vacuum.

The announcement immediately raised further questions amid Lebanon's political turmoil.

The president cannot declare a state of emergency without approval from the government, but Mr Lahoud's spokesman said the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora is considered unconstitutional.

"The president of the republic declares that because a state of emergency exists all over the land as of November 24, 2007," presidential spokesman Rafik Shalala said.

"The army is instructed to preserve security all over the Lebanese territory and places all the armed forces at its disposal."

The statement instructed the army "to submit the measures it takes to the Cabinet once there is one that is constitutional", he said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Saniora government, which has been meeting at government house in Beirut as the announcement was made at the presidential palace in suburban Baabda.

Mr Saniora's government later rejected the announcement.

"It has no value and is unconstitutional and consequently it is considered as if it was not issued," said a government spokesman, who asked not to be named before an official announcement by the Prime Minister is made.

The spokesman said the constitution stipulates that the Cabinet - not the president - has the authority to declare a state or emergency and to give the army the authority to take over security.

"Any decision not issued by the Cabinet has no constitutional value," the spokesman told The Associated Press.