Lebanese parliamentary majority and Lahoud
Lebanon, Politics, 2/17/2006

The Lebanese parliamentary majority which stands against Damascus said that it seeks a constitutional mechanism that is conducive to the resignation of the President of the Republic.

Lebanese minister and parliamentarian Marwan Hamadeh who is close to the Druze leader Walid Junblat said on Thursday that a serious debate is being conducted in constitutional and legal texts to find out the text which permits shortening the term of office and ensure majority voting on this text at the parliament.

For his part, the Lebanese parliamentarian Ghassan Tueini said in a televised speech that he has "a constitutional mechanism for the resignation of the president of the republic" that he will present to the parliament "at due time," but he disclosed no details.

Chairman of the executive commission for the Lebanese forces party Samir Jaajaa said "we are inclined at the meantime to draw a practical plan, in order to free the post of the president."

In a statement he issued on Wednesday, Lahoud whose term of office expires in November 2007, stressed cling to his term of office.

Lebanese sources said that the main means under discussion is the one taking place at the parliament, through a constitutional amendment to abrogate the extension for Lahoud's term of office which was originally made according to a constitutional amendment imposed by Damascus.

However, such a mechanism requires the consent of two thirds of the 128 member parliament, while the parliamentary majority has only 70 seats. This situation, however, requires alliances with other sides that do not agree on the resignation.

The constitution states the resignation of the President of the Republic just in one case, which is "highest treason".

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