Cairo  - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Lebanese Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad al-Hariri, who met in Cairo on Thursday, called for holding Lebanese parliamentary elections in the spring of 2009 as scheduled.

"We back up holding elections in time regardless of what happens and even if I was the victim of an attack aimed at blocking the balloting," Hariri told reporters.

Hariri, who heads the western-backed ruling coalition, has accused Syria of trying to block the parliamentary elections because they fear the anti-Syria ruling majority will win.

"There could be intimidation by some of Syria's allies in Lebanon. They are capable of forming armed factions to carry out what they pledge," Hariri added.

"Yet, this will not terrorize Lebanese citizens who are keen on holding elections as scheduled," Hariri added.

Hariri said Mubarak backs the holding of parliamentary elections in Lebanon as scheduled because it "consolidates democracy and stability."

Syria ended its 30-year military presence in Lebanon in 2005 after a local and international outcry following the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, father of Saad Hariri, in February 2005. Damascus has been accused of Hariri's killing, a charge Syria has vehemently denied.

Hariri, who arrived in Cairo on Wednesday night, said that Mubarak has also expressed support for Lebanon. He quoted Mubarak as saying "Lebanon's security is as important as Egypt's." (dpa)