Hrawi desires to step down and have early elections

President Elias Hrawi reported to a Lebanese newspaper, yesterday, his desire to step down from office and supervise early presidential elections. He also announced his opposition to the military's return to power, without specifically mentioning army leader Emil Lahoud, whose name was strongly brought up during the 1995 battle of the presidential extension.The presidential elections are due in November 1998.

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said during an interview with Tele Liban, yesterday, that there was no reason in the change of the election schedule and that it wouldn't be wise to raise this issue now. Hariri had visited Hrawi, at 5:50 p.m. yesterday, in Baabda. Sources said that the conflict between the two, concerning the administrative posts, was not resolved during the one-hour meeting.

On the other hand, MP Robert Ghanem said to Al-Safir, commenting on Hrawi's statement, that everything was fine when due.