Tueni, in a lengthy dialogue with Voice of Lebanon Radio, also said he was against convening a Parliamentary session to elect a new head of state with less than a two-third quorum.

Syria, according to Tueni, is "determined to prevent" the international tribunal from condemning it in the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

He expected more assassinations and bombings in Lebanon, stressing that "Syria cannot remain a trouble-distributing pit … No state managed to proceed with this role."

Tueni said religious leaders cannot rule Lebanon, stressing that "I do not welcome a military" person in the president's office.

"The history of military rule in the Arab World is not encouraging," Tueni noted.

The escalation of verbal campaigns reflects a desire to "bargain with the aim of reaching a compromise," Tueni said.

The Lebanese "are not stupid and will not commit suicide," he said in answering a question as to whether civil war was possible.

The meeting of Christian leaders of the March 14 coalition at the residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was a "normal response to charges that March 14 Christians are in the laps of MPs Saad Hariri or Walid Jumblatt," Tueni noted.

Lebanese army chief General Michel Suleiman has been suggested as a compromise presidential candidate, but according to the constitution he cannot be elected without amendment. The constitution stipulates that any appointed government employee should resign 2 years ahead of being considered for election as the head of the state.

The Parliament majority of which Tueni is a member is concerned about the relationship between General Suleiman and the Syrian regime , because he was appointed to this position when Lebanon was under the Syrian occupation and only those that favored Syria's role in Lebanon were considered for such high positions.

Tueni's son Gibran was assassinated on December 12, 2005. He was an outspoken anti-Syrian Lebanese member of parliament and the former editor and publisher of the An-Nahar daily . Syria was blamed for his assassination , but it denied any involvement

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan