re: Pretty normal way to set up a parlimentary govt...
"...in a highly factionalized country. Take a look at how Lebanon does it, for comparison."
Of course American is a highly factionalized country also, but it should be interesting how Lebanon does it in the next few weeks. I think the Lebanonese might go the other way in the sense of having more anti-Syrian, than pro-Syrian, and tending towards being aggressively liberal and strong free trader. I don't know how effective such a leader might be, but it might seem more important sending strong message, rather than an attempt to balance and moderate. Of course if Syria does some pretty heroic measures in terms of getting it's security forces out of Lebanon this could change the result.