The Lebanese cabinet drafted a bill Saturday that paves the way for a three-year extension of President Lahoud's term in power with Syria's backing and in defiance of widespread domestic and international opposition.
According to Naharnet website, the bill was drafted in an hour-long extraordinary session held in Beirut. Lahoud chaired the meeting, during which he thanked ministers for the confidence they have given him for a new 3-year term that stretches until Nov. 23, 2007.
After Lahoud left the meeting room, the cabinet drafted a request for an extraordinary metting of the Parliament to amend article 49 of the constitution for a "single, exceptional once" and give a 'yes' vote to the extension.
The latest move reflected what observers claim as Syria's defiance of an international campaign to stop its intervention in selecting Lebanon's president and a near unanimous Lebanese rejection of a Lahoud extension.
The U.S. White House, French President Jacques Chirac, Britain and Germany, have all called for the election of a new president in accordance to the Lebanese constitution. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
