Emile Lahoud, whose main rival in government is the anti-Syrian and pro-U.S. prime minister, Fuad Saniora, told the U.N. General Assembly that the Lebanese are capable of making their own decisions.

A breakdown in the presidential election process after a boycott by the Hezbollah-led opposition has left Lebanese lawmakers scrambling to agree on a candidate ahead of the Nov. 24 deadline when Lahoud steps down.

The worry is that a failure to decide on Lahoud's successor could result in two rival administrations. This occurred in the last two years of Lebanon's 15- year civil war when army units loyal to rival governments battled each other.

Many in the international community - most recently the Security Council - have weighed in on the issue, giving a diplomatic nudge to Syria which, as the main power-broker in Lebanon, has been accused of involvement in a series of assassinations, including that of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It denies any involvement.

"Unfortunately," Lahoud said, "there have been attempts by international parties to intervene in Lebanon's domestic affairs in a way that contradicted international norms."

"Such interference could instigate hatred and increase tension on the Lebanese scene, a thing which not only might have negative repercussions on upcoming presidential elections but on the safety of the Lebanese as well."

While he did not specify what he meant by "international parties," the comment was likely directed at the U.S. and other Security Council members who have been openly critical of Syria and its support for Hezbollah.

The militant Shiite group, which has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S., is a major force in Lebanese politics.

Thursday, the pro-opposition parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, chided the council on a press statement, issued earlier in the day, that stated Lebanon's elections should be fair and free of foreign intervention and violence.

Berri said it was not "the business of the Security Council to interfere in what is the business of the Lebanese parliament," according to Lebanon's official news agency.

Lahoud said while his country appreciates the support of the international community, particularly in the wake of the month-long war with Israel in 2006, Lebanon "hopes that any foreign assistance to Lebanon should be made to all the Lebanese, without any discrimination, in order to stop possible divisions or clashes among them."

After the Hezbollah boycott, the Lebanese parliament earlier this week delayed until Oct. 23 another session on the election, and momentum is building to reach an agreement.

Among the concerns voiced by many in the international community has been the safety of Lebanese lawmakers who have been targeted for assassination. The latest victim was pro-government parliamentarian Antoine Ghanem, who was killed in a bomb blast Sept. 19.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that foreign ministers of the Security Council's five permanent members - the U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K. - and Germany discussed "concern for the atmosphere of intimidation that has been brought upon the people of Lebanon and the great desire to see that members of parliament can carry out their duties without intimidation."

A day earlier, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said France is " absolutely determined that all this takes place normally." He said his government will speak with all the countries in the region, "some of which are implicated more than others in making decisions that should concern only Lebanon." The comment was a veiled reference to Syria.

Kouchner also said that while there have been discussions about international protection for Lebanese lawmakers, the government had not requested such help and it "is very difficult and not at all achievable."

Lahoud dismissed such an option.

"Consecutive events in Lebanon showed that the Lebanese are capable of making their own decisions and their own choices, and could live side by side and interact peacefully ... protected by their security institutions, namely their national army," said Lahoud. -AP