Lebanon was plunged deeper into political turmoil after the Syrian-backed opposition said it would boycott today's presidential election, hours before the term of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud ended at midnight.

French-led mediation has failed to forge agreement on Lahoud's successor between groups opposed to Syrian influence in Lebanon and others backed by Damascus, including Hezbollah. The anti-Syrian majority plans to go to the election in parliament despite the boycott, which denies the chamber a two-thirds quorum for a vote already postponed four times. Many fear Lahoud's departure from office with no deal could result in two rival administrations and violence in a country still rebuilding from its 1975-1990 civil war.

 "This is very worrisome," a taxi driver who gave his nameonly as Mohammad said. "We have learned to expect the worst and this (deadlock) could leave the country in flames."

Thousands of Lebanese soldiers and police, backed byarmoured vehicles, deployed across Beirut overnight, lining up some streets leading to parliament in downtown Beirut. Others guarded government buildings or set checkpoints. Extra measures were taken around a five-star hotel wheredozens of anti-Syrian lawmakers have been staying for the pasttwo months under guard for fear of assassination. Lebanon has been rattled by some 30 explosions over the last three years that have killed dozens, including eight anti-Syrian politicians and journalists. The army has warned against any internal strife. Both sides have accused each other of arming supporters. Lahoud disputes the legitimacy of the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and is expected to take some kind of step before he leaves office. He has not said what he will do. But the former military chief has previously floated the idea of handing over to General Michel Suleiman, the current army chief.

The governing coalition would reject such a step. The president must be a Maronite Christian, according to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. The anti-Syrian majority argues that Siniora's government should automatically take over presidential powers until a new head of state can be elected, a view supported by European ministers visiting Beirut on a mediation drive. Some governing coalition members favour using their majority to elect a president in the absence of a deal. Opposition sources say such a move would lead to conflict in the streets. The United States and its local allies blame Syria for the deadlock. Hezbollah and its Christian allies say the U.S.-backed majority wants to keep them from their rightful share in powerand accuse Washington of trying to control Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner left Beirut yesterday after the latest in a series of failed mediation efforts.