Bitter rivalry between Lebanon’s political camps and between their respective foreign backers could torpedo next month’s presidential election, threatening a new constitutional crisis, instability and economic paralysis. The poll is the next battle in a struggle that pits the ruling coalition backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia against a Shi’ite-Christian opposition including the powerful Hezbollah group, which enjoys Syrian and Iranian support. According to the constitution, parliament should meet on Sept. 25 to elect a successor to President Emile Lahoud, a close Syrian ally whose term ends at midnight on Nov. 23. (Reuters)