... President Emile Lahoud, reacting to the arrest of the generals, three of which including Brig Gen Mustafa Hamdan are close associates, vowed to stay in office. But in a sign Lahoud might not readily accept the findings, he instructed Lebanon's judiciary to review the UN team's findings with those obtained by the Lebanese side. "[Lahoud] affirms to the Lebanese that he will continue to shoulder the responsibility in safeguarding the constitution and the laws," said presidential spokesman Rafik Shalala.Lahoud's opponents began calling for his resignation before Hariri's assassination and the demands intensified after anti-Syrian groups swept to power in Lebanese parliamentary elections in May and June.
Mehlis also said he was willing to go to Damascus to meet Syrian officials and recommended to the Lebanese authorities that they keep holding the four generals in police custody in Beirut since Tuesday. "The presumption of innocence stands," he said, adding the suspects had not been charged. But he said their arrests were based on evidence.
Lebanese investigating magistrate Elias Eid has until tomorrow morning to decide whether to release the generals, extend their detention or issue arrest warrants. It was unclear when Eid will interview the suspects. "We think ... that they were to some extent part of the planning which led to the assassination," Mehlis said during the news conference.