Bush Crosses Swords with Assad over Lebanon's Presidency
Naharnet
Beirut, Updated 20 Aug 04, 10:33Syria is systematically upgrading its outward support for keeping Gen. Lahoud in power for an extended or a renewed term, while the United States is escalating public insistence that a new president should be elected for Lebanon in autumn in conformity with the Lebanese constitution.
Reports in the Beirut media spoke Friday of a Syrian-inspired amendment of article 49 of the constitution that would allow presidents to stand for two consecutive 5-year terms instead of the current provision that limits the non-renewable presidential term to only six years.
An Nahar quoted a cabinet minister as saying the government would convene in a special session Sept. 2 to put forth before parliament a draft bill requesting the constitutional amendment to renew Lahoud's term.
Asked to comment on the growing renewal trend Premier Hariri just smiled and said nothing, An Nahar reported. When asked how much longer he would remain silent about the presidential issue, Hariri used a verse of the Koran in which Virgin Mary is quoted as saying she had vowed a fast and would not talk to any human.
Hariri, who has no love lost for Lahoud and visa versa, is on record that he would quit the premiership if Lahoud stays on as President for a new term.
President Bush's saber rattling with Assad over the Lebanese presidency was underscored by a new statement from Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs David Satterfield that the United States still looks forward to see a new president elected in Lebanon this coming autumn.
"The U.S. respects Lebanon's sovereignty and will not interfere in such domestic affairs as the presidential election," Satterfield said in an interview aired by the U.S.-run Al Hurra Arabic satellite network.
"Lebanon has a constitution and constitutions have to be respected. This constitution provides that a new president should be elected every six years," said Satterfield, who served as ambassador to Lebanon in the 1990s.
Beirut, Updated 20 Aug 04
Beirut, Updated 20 Aug 04, 10:33Syria is systematically upgrading its outward support for keeping Gen. Lahoud in power for an extended or a renewed term, while the United States is escalating public insistence that a new president should be elected for Lebanon in autumn in conformity with the Lebanese constitution.
Reports in the Beirut media spoke Friday of a Syrian-inspired amendment of article 49 of the constitution that would allow presidents to stand for two consecutive 5-year terms instead of the current provision that limits the non-renewable presidential term to only six years.
An Nahar quoted a cabinet minister as saying the government would convene in a special session Sept. 2 to put forth before parliament a draft bill requesting the constitutional amendment to renew Lahoud's term.
Asked to comment on the growing renewal trend Premier Hariri just smiled and said nothing, An Nahar reported. When asked how much longer he would remain silent about the presidential issue, Hariri used a verse of the Koran in which Virgin Mary is quoted as saying she had vowed a fast and would not talk to any human.
Hariri, who has no love lost for Lahoud and visa versa, is on record that he would quit the premiership if Lahoud stays on as President for a new term.
President Bush's saber rattling with Assad over the Lebanese presidency was underscored by a new statement from Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs David Satterfield that the United States still looks forward to see a new president elected in Lebanon this coming autumn.
"The U.S. respects Lebanon's sovereignty and will not interfere in such domestic affairs as the presidential election," Satterfield said in an interview aired by the U.S.-run Al Hurra Arabic satellite network.
"Lebanon has a constitution and constitutions have to be respected. This constitution provides that a new president should be elected every six years," said Satterfield, who served as ambassador to Lebanon in the 1990s.
Beirut, Updated 20 Aug 04
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