BEIRUT, August 28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Amid protests from Lebanese influential figures and foreign powers, the Lebanese cabinet endorsed Saturday, August 28, a draft amendment to the constitution allowing president Emile Lahoud to stay in office as Damascus wishes.

The bill, which enables Lahoud to stay in presidency for three years more, was endorsed by 24 votes including Prime Minister Rafik al Hariri against three ministers objecting, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.

The Lebanese parliament is expected to hold an extraordinary session Monday to debate amendments to the constitution before the elections, which are due to take place before the expiry of Lahoud's presidency by the end of November.

"Regional conditions require taking special measures, especially preparing the draft law amending the constitution that allows extending the presidential term to three years, to end in November 2007," said information minister Michel Samaha.

The proposed constitutional amendment would be the third regarding the presidential term since the country's independence in 1943.

In 1995, the presidential term of Elias Hraoui was extended for three years.

Three years later, Lahoud was able to stand for president after the rules were changed, because he had not resigned as head of the armed forces soon enough to be eligible.

The new decision comes despite domestic and world opposition from the United States, France, Britain and Germany.

Washington has expressed opposition to amend the constitution, calling on the Syrian government to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and not intervene in its affairs.

"The United States believes strongly that the best interests of both Lebanon and Syria are served by a positive and constructive relationship, based upon principles of mutual respect and non-intervention, between two neighboring sovereign and independent states," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

"This includes respect for the freedom of the Lebanese people to decide the fate of their nation and its leadership, without pressure or interference from any outside party."

"The United States looks forward to elections in Lebanon that respect Lebanese institutions, including Lebanon's existing constitution, and that are free of any foreign interference," McClellan added.

Britain, for its part, added to the international pressures not to make constitutional amendments to allow Lahoud run for reelection.

"The elections are an opportunity for the Lebanese parliament to show its commitment to the full sovereignty and independence of its country by making a decision uninfluenced by any foreign power," junior foreign minister Bill Rammell said.

"The UK believes that constitutional change should be undertaken after careful debate and public consultation," he said.

"A strong, independent Lebanon whose president is elected in a free and fair electoral process is in the best interest both of its own people and of all the states in the region."

The French Foreign Ministry has also urged Lebanon to show strict respect for its constitution by not introducing amendments to give Lahoud another mandate.

"These elections must take place in full respect of the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous has said Thursday.

French President Jacques Chirac had earlier said elections in Lebanon should be held in line with the current constitution.

Germany also expressed its opposition to the move.