As predicted in our early morning report, black smoke was expected from the negotiations between Aoun and the opposition. "We are on the course of an elections battle in the Aley-Baabda district and we are certain to win five of the 11 seats allotted to this constituency," Aoun told a new conference he held at his Rabieh residence at mid-morning.

Reports say the opposition talks broke down over Gen. Aoun's insistence on selecting candidates for non-Maronite seats in the Aley-Baabda district. The stumbling block was the Aley Orthodox seat, which Aoun wants for his senior aide Issam Abu Jamra and Jumblatt wants to retain it for his ally Antoine Andraous

"The Lebanese people will be the judge and with this the people will be able to exercise their rights in full," Mr Aoun said.

Aoun confirmed that he had said "When Alexander the Great reached the borders of Persia in his conquests, the Persian emperor sent a message offering peace. Alexander read it and then passed it to one of his generals, saying 'if I am you, I would accept the offer, but I am Alexander the Great.'"

Sources: Ya Libnan, Naharnet, Al Safir