This could explain the reason for the meeting that took place Monday evening at Hotel Chateau Frontenable in Paris between MP Saad Hariri, MP Walid Jumblatt, Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi, former MP Ghattas Khoury and U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman.

Feltman traveled to Paris in order to attend the meeting and will be returning Tuesday to Beirut. Saad Hariri will continue to New York to attend a meeting with the US President George W Bush.

According to the Lebanese Newspapers the main subject of the meeting was Lahoud's replacement and the specifications required of the new president.

Aoun's name came up but was opposed by both Jumblatt and Hariri. None of them wants to see a General replace another General. Since between them they control 72 out of the 128 member parliament, they will decide who the next president will be.

According to the Lebanese newspapers, Dr. Ghattas Khoury, who played as the mediator during election time between Hariri, Jumblatt and Aoun is trying to convince them to support Aoun's candidacy for president

General Aoun's attacks against Jumblatt and Hariri wrote him off as the 12th president of the republic, unless the US and France insist . Since UN resolution 1559 is viewed by the US as the most important objective to be achieved as a result of Syria's withdrawal, the US may want to see Aoun as Lahoud's replacement, since Aoun is viewed as the strongest candidate that can enforce the resolution. On the other hand the French president Jacques Chirac is known to dislike Aoun and never met him during his 15 years of exile in Paris. It will be interesting to watch what happens between now and mid October. One thing is for sure: There will be more meetings in Paris, since no one trusts the security in Lebanon.

It is obvious that Lahoud has lost completely his credibility as the Lebanese president ever since the 4 Generals were arrested. It will be in Lebanon's best interest for Lahoud to step down after returning from New York. For Lahoud to insist on completing his term, is like saying "to hell with Lebanon".

Lets hope that Cardinal Sfeir is now ready to support another candidate for a better Lebanon. After all Lahoud is not the only Christian Maronite in town. The Maronite community has many qualified candidates that could represent the March 14 spirit. The Cedar Revolution that erupted after Hariri's murder and was supported by Cardinal Sfeir should continue for a better Lebanon and Lahoud has no role in it.

Sources: Ya Libnan, Ad Diyar, Naharnet, Al safir, VOL, Stavro Jabra (Cartoon- modified)