Geagea, in a ceremony marking his capture that led to an 11-year incarceration, said Lahoud "is not the biggest and most threatening mine, but he is the passage to defuse other mines."

He said those who are trying to keep the president in power must bear responsibility before God and history for the continuation of the political crisis that has been gripping the country since Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon last April.

The LF leader, speaking to hundreds of supporters gathered at BIEL exhibition center in downtown Beirut, said a "weak president" who does not represent the Lebanese people should not be allowed to remain in power.

Geagea told the crowd that although the Lebanese forces and its allies in the March 14 coalition have achieved independence and sovereignty, a lot more work remained to be done and warned that "the road ahead is long."

However, he said there would be no return to the bygone era of Syrian domination over its small neighbor.

"There is no fear for the future...we will continue despite the obstacles in our way."

In a veiled reference to Hezbollah, Geagea called for the full implementation of the 1989 Taif agreement that ended the 1975-1990 civil war and stipulates the disbanding and disarmament of all militias.

Hezbollah, the Syrian-backed Party is the only remaining group that holds weapons. All other parties, including Geagea 's LF, have surrendered their arms in accordance with the 1989 Taif agreement.

UN resolution 1559 also calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all militias.

Hezbollah and General Michel Aoun have recently formed an alliance and both have been defending Lahoud. General Aoun will be willing to call for Lahoud's ouster, if he ( Aoun) will be the only candidate to replace him...but so far even Hezbollah did not nominate Aoun. Cardinal Sfeir, the highest spiritual authority in the Christian community also objects to General Aoun, since he sees him as a "photocopy of General Lahoud"... Sfeir does not want a military man in that job and according to him there are so many civilian Christian leaders that qualify. The president in Lebanon has to be a Christian Maronite.

Samir Geagea delivering his speech at Biehl in downtown Beirut

Pictures revised on April 23, 2006
Sources: Ya Libnan, Naharnet