The stand was outlined as a meeting grouping 29 Christian members of the multi-sect majority coalition was underway at the residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Merab, northeast of Beirut.

Geagea, in a dialogue with reporters, said the meeting was aimed at "countering efforts by foreign intelligence to choose a president" for Lebanon.

He stressed that the "era of foreign influence (in Lebanon) is gone and fabricating a president by outside powers is not right."

Geagea stressed that such rejected options of foreign interference in choosing a president for Lebanon were "applied during the era of Syrian hegemony."

A vacuum in the presidential office is "a red line," Geagea announced.

He disclosed that there had been some contacts with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun concerning the election of a new head of state to succeed President Emile Lahoud, whose extended term in office expires on Nov. 24.

However, "He (Aoun) has not changed his stand. That is why we have to resort to democracy."

Public Works Minister Nayla Muawad, who took part in the meeting, expressed "concern over a Syrian-Iranian scheme to prevent the presidential elections."

She said the meeting aims at setting the stage for "consensus" among Christian members of the March 14 alliance, the outcome of which would be relayed to "our allies and Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir."

She stressed that a President will not be elected "if we do not agree on him with the Patriarch."

MP Butros Harb said the meeting aims at agreeing on a "joint concept" for the alliance regarding the forthcoming Presidential elections.

Former MP Nasib Lahoud said the talks aim at "launching consultations" regarding the presidential elections that should be held within the constitutional schedule that starts on Sept. 25.

Picture: Meeting of the march 14 Christian leaders to discuss the strategy for electing a new president to replace the outgoing pro- Syrian president Emile Lahoud

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan