"The Patriarch is a besieged captive of political auctioneers," the Druze leader said, referring to what he described as the remnants of Syrian-backed Maronite politicians who developed an "overwhelming pro-Christian sentiment all of a sudden" after Syria's evacuation of Lebanon.

"The scene now lacks only Nasser Kandil in Bkirki," said the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party. Kandil was Syria's noisiest propaganda drummer before the evacuation was completed on April 26, ending a 29-year heavy tutelage.

Jumblat revealed that an advice was passed by the United States and U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen that the electoral law of 2000 be retained as the framework for the upcoming elections. "They contended this law would help rid Lebanon of whoever has remained of Syria's agents."

He lamented the changes that had made such 'fiercely loyal Syrian collaborators' as Michel and Elias Murr, Suleiman Franjieh turning into Jesus Christ disciples while such staunch anti-Syrian Christians like Qornet Shahwan, Naila Mouawad, Fares Soeid, Samir Franjieh and Nassib Lahoud are now viewed as renegades and traitors.

Jumblat, a long-time ally of the Patriarch, has rejected his concept that Christian legislators must be elected by Christian vote and Muslims by Muslim voters. "This, if it happens, will tip the balance in Lebanon heavily in the Muslims' favor."

He said the new parliament would write a new electoral law acceptable to all and warned against the establishment sectarian federalism in Lebanon.

"If Christian and Muslim moderation in parliament falls apart, neither Saad Hariri nor myself will be able to restrain Islamic extremism. Each of us will have to go home."

Responding to a remark made by Gen. Aoun earlier in the day that many Rustom Ghazaleh's have been left behind by Syria in Lebanon, Jumblat took jab at President Lahoud, saying "there is only one Rustom Ghazaleh left. He is in Baabda."