I learned this while in Beirut: the Syrian government was not certain that it wanted to support Lahhud for presidency last year. In fact, weeks before the undemocratic and arrogant decision to support an extension of the term of the presidency of Lahhud, the latter was notified by the Syrian government that Syria was not necessarily supporting him. It was during that time when Bashshar Al-Asad gave an interview to the Kuwaiti newspaper (As-Siyasah) in which he stated that the election was a Lebanese matter--which translates as, it would not necessarily be Lahhud. But something happened that changed the mind of Bashshar Al-Asad. Why did Syria switch from supporting John `Ubayd to supporting Lahhud? A long story, and I am not sure that I have all the pieces of the puzzle.