BEIRUT, Lebanon - Outgoing President Emile Lahoud handed over Lebanon’s security to the army on Thursday because conditions exist that could lead to a state of emergency, his office announced just hours before he was to step down.

"There are conditions and risks on the ground that could lead to a state of emergency," his spokesman Rafiq Shalala said.

For that reason, Lahoud was giving the army the responsibilitty for maintaining order throughout the country, Shalala said.

Lahoud, who was to leave office at midnight (2200 GMT), had adopted the measure "given the exceptional circumstances and in the interest of the country".

In the statement, Lahoud also reiterated that the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora illegitimate.

A spokesman for PM Fouad Siniora rejected Lahoud's security move, saying it was unconstitutional.

He said: "The statement issued by the general directorate of the president of the republic is not valid and is unconstitutional. It is as if the statement was never issued."

Constitutionally speaking, Mr Lahoud cannot call a state of emergency without the backing of the government - which he does not recognise.

This appears to be the ultimate political limbo, with the rival parties even in disagreement over whether a state of emergency exists.

Lebanon's parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri postponed a vote on Friday that would have been the last chance to choose a president before pro-Syrian Lahoud left office at midnight.

Berri, who is also a Shiite opposition leader, delayed the election for a fifth time due to a deadlock between rival factions. He set a new session for November 30 'to allow for more consultations,' he said in a statement.

The decision means Lebanon will be without a president for at least a week. Unless a consensus candidate emerges, many fear the dispute may lead to two competing administrations and violence in a country still scarred by its 1975-1990 civil war. -With Agencies