BEIRUT, Lebanon, October 24 (Lebanonwire) -- The government is showing solidarity not division in backing the UN 1595 report on the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri as more voices join the fray in calling for President Lahoud’s resignation, Al Mustaqbal daily said Sunday.

Contrary to claims promulgated by those “who stand to lose” by the UN report, Lebanese are united in their interpretations of the Detlev Mehlis’ commission, three days after the German Investigator attempted to reveal the identity of the Hariri assassins, the daily said.

Future Movement leader Saad Hariri said during a Sunday interview with ‘voice of Lebanon’ radio “we ought to get rid of all those who manipulated the country and siphoned off its constitutional powers and give back the Parliament and Cabinet their legitimacy.”

Hariri said that as far as the seat of the presidency, “ I will leave a big question mark, because the upcoming phase will determine what the new Lebanon will look like.”

Knowing that any discussions on removing Lahoud from office would have to go through Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Hariri indicated that the prelate is studying the report “and we will soon be in direct contact with him.”

“Perhaps the subject of the presidency has not yet fully matured, but it was hit by shrapnels with the report’s findings,” Hariri said.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat backed Hariri’s call for an international tribunal and advised Syrian President Bashar Assad to cooperate with the UN commission.

“UN 1595 should take priority over and be separate from UN 1595, which is a domestic matter subject to internal dialogue, and I am against the collective punishing of the Syrian people for the evil and misguided actions of few,” Jumblat said Sunday from his residence in Mukhtara.

Terje Roed-Larsen, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the implementation of resolution 1559, calling for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and the disarming of all militia, is expected to submit his report to the UN Security Council this week.

Jumblat said that Parliament has set rules on the presidency issue, with several criteria on who makes the best fit with respect to serving the public interest, the Taif Accord, relations with Syria and supporting the resistance, adding “the parliament is made up of several entities.”

Following a meeting with Amal Movement leader Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told reporters that “it is early to speak of an international criminal tribunal, but the issue is on the table for discussion.” Amal is expected to issue a position today with regard to the Mehlis report.

Siniora told Al Arabia television Sunday that he was against sanctions on Syria “but I am with punishing the individuals behind the crime.”

“While I personally believe that Lahoud should resign, I think the Lebanese realize that there are rules to follow before such a decision is reached, and it certainly goes through the Maronite authority,” Siniora added.

The Islamic group Al Jamaa’ Islamiah issued a statement yesterday saying that the UN report needs further study by the Lebanese Judiciary and the international community before a neutral tribunal takes over.

"We call on the Parliament to make constitutional amendments that shortens the president’s mandate,” the statement added.

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea added his voice to callers for the President’s resignation when he announced “Lahoud’s position has become very very shaky and his legal responsibility (for the UN probe) will be determined in court.”

Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad said “reconstructing Lebanon necessitates the removal of all the symbols of the previous Lebanese-Syrian security regime, including Lahoud “and there are also many question marks about his involvement with the Hariri investigation.”

“Every day he spends as president undermines the position and role of the presidency,” Mouawad said.

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