Divided Lebanese leaders on Tuesday postponed a presidential election to allow more time to agree a successor to the pro-Syrian incumbent, whose term expires on Friday.

The Western-backed government of prime minister Fouad Siniora and the Hizbollah-led opposition are sharply divided on the question of who should be the next head of state. Some observers believe that should they fail to come to an agreement – and there is little reason for optimism – the country could be torn apart.