Aoun continued with the interview:

"If the parliamentary majority agrees on my political program, if there is a consensus (on Lahoud's departure), I'm ready to become president on condition that those leaving be given an honorable discharge,"

"I do not wish to defend President Lahoud," he said. "I have already said that he may have managed to extend his mandate, but he wouldn't be able to finish it.

"However, changing heads of states is no simple matter," cautioned Aoun. "We have time, we must agree on a program. I don't want to start on something without knowing where it will lead us," he said.

Aoun, 70, who returned to Beirut after nearly 15 years of exile in Paris, France, gained considerable credibility when he swept the elections last Sunday and took 21 seats. His victory was at the expense of the anti-Syrian coalition of Kornet Shahwan, Walid Jumblatt and Saad Hariri.

The elections are the first since Syria, after 3 decades of military presence. Syria withdrew its troops and security agents in April in the face of local and international pressure following Hariri's murder on February 14.

Aoun's U-turn regarding the presidency and Lahoud is viewed by many analysts as a major departure from his previous statements in which he defended Lahoud and objected to calls by Jumblatt and Hariri for his removal.

This change in Aoun's position could create a conflict between him and Cardinal Sfeir. While the opposition has repeatedly called for Lahoud's resignation, Sfeir fiercely objected.

Hezbollah's call for Lahoud to serve his full term will also complicate matters between Aoun and this organization. Sheikh Naim Qassem, Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah said "there is no reason to reopen this file again. The president should serve his full term"

Lahoud, the pro Syrian president, insisted on several occasions, that he will complete his extended term, even if all the 128 members of the Parliament.

Under Lebanon's unwritten constitutional agreement (Al Mithaq Alwatani), the presidency is earmarked for a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister's post is reserved for a Sunni Muslim and the parliament Speaker's post goes to a Shiite Muslim.

Sources: Ya Libnan, , RFI, VOL, tayyar