Head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) General Michel Aoun launched a vehement attack against the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora, accusing it of "usurping power."
Aoun also insisted that an alternative to elect a president by a simple majority is tantamount to a coup against the constitution.
"We will not allow elections to take place by a half-plus-one (vote of the MPs)," Aoun told supporters from the mountain town of Aley.
"If a president was elected without a quorum he will be illegitimate and we will not accept him; and this would be some kind of coup which we will face with a counter coup," Aoun said.
He reiterated his rejection to the takeover of power by "illegitimate" Saniora in the event consensus on a presidential candidate was not reached.
Aoun stressed that the only "remaining solution" is the formation of a national unity government representing all Lebanese from all sects.
He also assured that the marginalization of Christians would not last because the FPM "would not accept the obliteration of any sect in Lebanon."