A car bomb killed a Lebanese army general in a Christian suburb of Beirut yesterday, removing a leading contender to replace military chief General Michel Suleiman, who is set to be elected president next week.

The attack heightened tension in Lebanon where rival leaders are embroiled in a struggle over the presidency that has fuelled the biggest political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj, head of army operations, and his bodyguard were killed in the early morning blast that hit their car in Baabda, a wealthy area that houses the presidential palace and several embassies. Hajj was the ninth fatality in a string of assassinations that began with the 2005 killing of ex-premier Rafik al-Hariri.

Lebanese politicians from the Western-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition denounced the attack, as did the United States, France, Germany and Syria. A White House spokesman said President George W. Bush would «continue to stand with the Lebanese people as they counter those who attempt to undermine their security and freedom».

Security sources said 35 kg of explosives packed into an olive-green BMW car were detonated by remote control as Hajj?s four-wheel-drive vehicle drove by. Hajj, 54, had been seen as one of two main contenders for the job of army chief, traditionally a Maronite Christian. The post would fall vacant if parliament elects Suleiman president in a long-delayed vote now slated for Monday.

Political and religious leaders said the killing showed the need to reduce tensions by electing Suleiman swiftly. No group claimed responsibility for Hajj?s killing, which followed eight deadly attacks on anti-Syrian politicians and journalists. The most recent was a Sept. 19 car bomb that killed Christian lawmaker Antoine Ghanem.

Some Lebanese politicians accuse Syria of carrying out the killings. Damascus has denied any involvement. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem denounced the «criminal attack» on Hajj, saying: «We condemn any action that threatens Lebanon».

<B>Black flags and army emblems</B>

Hajj helped lead an army onslaught on al Qaeda-inspired militants at the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon earlier this year in which 168 soldiers and about 230 Fatah al-Islam fighters were killed. «Once he was nominated for the leadership (of the army), they killed him,» Hajj?s father Elias told reporters in the slain officer?s village of Rmeish in southern Lebanon.

Villagers raised black flags and army emblems in Rmeish, where schools closed for three days of mourning. Hajj came from a family of tobacco farmers and was the eldest of 12 children.

The blast wrecked Hajj?s car, set others on fire and damaged nearby buildings. Charred metal littered the blackened streets. «We are facing a security catastrophe today,» said Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, calling on the interior minister to resign. Visibly shaken, the former army chief told reporters Hajj had been his preferred candidate for the top military post.

The army has stayed largely neutral in Lebanon?s political turmoil and is seen as a unifying force. On Monday, Lebanon?s parliament speaker postponed the presidential election to Dec. 17, the eighth delay to the vote.

Pro and anti-Syrian factions agreed last week that Suleiman should take the presidency, reserved for a Maronite. It has been vacant since the term of Emile Lahoud ended on Nov. 23.

Arab and Western states fear a prolonged vacuum in the presidency could further destabilise Lebanon, where rival camps have accused each other of rearming and training fighters.

<B>Nadim LADKI</B>

<B>France condemns Beirut killing</B>

France condemned yesterday?s killing in Beirut as an attempt to destabilize the country, and urged lawmakers to pick a new president as soon as possible. «The only response to this attempt at destabilization must be for all Lebanese political leaders to show responsibility by proceeding with the election of a new president without delay,» French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement.

Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj (photo), head of army operations, was seen as a leading contender to take over as army chief from General Michel Suleiman should parliament elect him Lebanon?s president in a much-delayed vote now slated for Monday. France led European efforts to forge an agreement between rival parties on the presidential candidate and has repeatedly urged Lebanese leaders to elect a new president as quickly as possible to avoid political chaos.