In a Q&A with the Washington Post, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora explained the job security of his boss, pro-Syrian president Emile Lahoud:
Do you think that the Syrians have threatened Lahoud? Could he quit, or would they kill him?
I think, personally, he is not the type to do that.
Could he do it?
I tend to think no.
They would kill him?
I don’t want to use that term. He is not free to resign.
Lahoud’s presidency was supposed to end in 2004, but was extended due to Syrian pressure.