Configure script breaks with SuSE Linux 6.1

[Burkert Stefan ICP CD MP GSM RD K5]

Hello,

I have an installation problem with the current Lilypond package (I tried
versions 1.0.17 and 1.2.8).
With my Linux distribution (SuSE Linux 6.1) the configure script breaks with
the message "The compiler (gcc) cannot create executables". The compiler
normally works correctly in my system.
I was logged in as 'root' and had write permission to the directory tree
where I unpacked Lilypond.

Can you help me? Do I have to set any environment variables? What exactly is
the command that fails? I unfortunately am not expert enough to understand
the configure script.

Thanks in advance,

        Stefan Burkert