Sinioura calls Lahoud to resign

In a development pertinent to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud refused the call extended to him by the Lebanese prime minister Fouad Sinioura to resign from his post.

A statement issued by the Lebanese presidency said that the resignation of the President of the Republic has reasons and certain mechanisms in the constitution. Neither the reasons stated in the constitution are available (the highest treason) and violating the constitution, nor the implementation of the mechanism is justified so as President Lahoud to give his resignation.

In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, Sinioura considered that Lahoud has to resign after the detention of four senior security leaders close to him in the framework of the investigation to the assassination of al-Hariri.

Sinioura indicated that extension for Lahoud's term of office was imposed by Syria in 2004 and he is facing today an opposition from the Lebanese and from the Christian sect which he belongs to.