Very nice set up of posts and most appropriate for these times .. that name Aoun .. 'sounded familiar' ... I truly thought it was from our Rose .. ;) a long time ago... when we were all going back and forth .. but now I see it was Lebanese Proud ... ;) .. thanks for bringing it up .. we can all make better judgements now .. ;)
but you see . .I have a 'tinkling .. .. ;) bell going off that says he was EXILED! (you know like a leper) ... he had his hands in some Syrian blood .. . but supposedly was caught 'just in time' before he committed the dirty deeds ... .. wow! .. lucky break for those poor syrian guys . AOUN was gonna KILL them with Christian JOY! .... .. . {{{{..love seeing that he got stopped }}..... ;( .. sounds like he's still at it. They would NOT let him back in Lebanon for some time, I mean I'm talking years and years ... maybe eight or ten even ... .. what a mess! ..
October 24, 2013 10:24 AM (Last updated: October 24, 2013 01:44 PM) The Daily Star
File - MP leader Michel Aoun attends the weekly meeting in Rabieh, Friday, April 5, 2013. (The Daily Star/Charbel Nakhoul)
BEIRUT: Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam should hold a new round of consultations with parliamentary blocs as part of the Cabinet formation process that has been deadlocked for months, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said in remarks published Thursday.
In his interview with Al-Akhbar newspaper, Aoun also said the presidential election race had started.
“The prime minister-designate can call for a new round of parliamentary consultations,” Aoun said.
“We have visited him once, twice ... If he wants to make a new suggestion, he should hold a new round of talks or call for new consultations in Parliament.”
Aoun said that Salam should not limit his consultations over the Cabinet formation to talks with President Michel Sleiman but expand discussions and hold consultations with MPs.
Salam was tasked with forming the new government in April but his mission has been obstructed by conditions and counter conditions from the rival March 8 and March 14 political camps.
Aoun also addressed the presidential election due next year and said that nothing should come in the way of electing a new president.
“We can elect a president even if the government has still not been formed, the urgent matter is the presidential election and they cannot be obstructed,” he said.
Sleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014. The president has repeatedly stressed that he rejects any extension of his mandate.
Aoun, who has reportedly coveted the post of president since his return to the country in 2005, also said that it had not been settled whether he would run as a candidate for the new presidential election.
“We still don't know who the candidates are. My name is being mentioned but I can't say that I am a candidate,” he said.
Aoun: We’re Against Hezbollah’s Involvement in Syria
.. has Aoun shifted a bit on that? .. "Aoun defends Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria civil war May 19, 2013"
The leader of the Lebanese Change and Reform bloc, MP Michel Aoun, confirmed his objection to Hezbollah members participating alongside the Syrian regime in the fight against Syrian rebels in Qusair. Picture taken Sept. 5, 2007. (photo by REUTERS/Jean-Marc Loos)
The leader of the Lebanese Change and Reform bloc, MP Michel Aoun, confirmed his objection to Hezbollah members participating alongside the Syrian regime in the fight against Syrian rebels in Qusair. Aoun explained that this involvement outside the Lebanese territory on the part of Hezbollah, with whom Aoun signed a memorandum of understanding [in 2006], is a private initiative by the party.
----- About This Article
Summary: MP Michel Aoun dispels talk of escalating sectarianism in Lebanese politics, while asserting his support for the role Hezbollah plays in Lebanon in an interview with Al-Hayat. Publisher: Al-Hayat (Pan Arab) - http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/about/sources/alhayat Original Title: Aoun to Al-Hayat: Lebanese Political Parties Intervened to Prevent Me From Visiting Saudi Arabia Author: Nasser al-Haqbani First Published: August 17, 2013 Posted on: August 21 2013 Translated by: Steffi Chakti and Pascale El-Khoury
Categories: Lebanon Syria Security -----
In an interview with Al-Hayat before the explosion .. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/08/major-bomb-blast-beirut-southern-suburbs-lebanon.html .. that rocked the Ruwais district in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Aug. 15, Aoun said that Lebanese political parties intervened to prevent him from visiting Saudi Arabia in 2006. "... There are no obstacles regarding the essence of relationships with Saudi Arabia, who seeks to help Lebanon gain stability and build a strong army,” he said. “I will visit the kingdom if I am ever invited,” pointing out that al-Qaeda is present in Lebanon but under different denominations, considering that the Lebanese army is showing negligence in controlling land borders and that “unfortunately, means are limited.”
Al-Hayat: What do you think about the repercussions of the congested regional and international situation and the developments in Syria and Lebanon?
Aoun: I believe the situation in Syria is very dangerous. We want democracy in Syria and we believe in it. However, there are some extremist groups — including Jabhat al-Nusra — in Syria, which are also present in Tripoli, and we fear that they will gain more influence in Syria. Moreover, their power and high concentration in Syria will have a negative impact on Lebanon. We want democracy. We do not want victory for extremists.
Al-Hayat: In light of the prevailing tension in the region in general and in Lebanon in particular and considering the fear of a Sunni-Shiite sedition in Lebanon, how do you perceive the fate of Christians in this country?
Aoun: I think the aftermath of any Sunni-Shiite conflict will not only affect Christians, but all of Lebanon. Therefore, we have deployed all our efforts politically to prevent such a conflict. It is worth mentioning that the repercussions of previous long, armed clashes in the 1970s are still producing their effects. We are trying to spare Lebanon such a clash, and at the moment we have succeeded thanks to the will of some parties who have been able to influence the Lebanese internal situation, by which I mean foreign countries. The situation bodes well.
Al-Hayat: Where are the moderate Muslim or Christian voices in Lebanon? Do you fear religious extremism in Lebanon?
Aoun: We believe we are the moderates in Lebanon because we want Lebanon to be for all Lebanese people. Yet sometimes, our criticism of the conduct of the prime minister or some of his corrupt civil servants enjoying his protection in such a way that has led to bad governance, may be seen as directed against Sunnis. The truth is that we support good governance and we are not against the Sunnis. If our prime minister were a Christian we would have also criticized him. Moreover, whether we agree or disagree in parliament has nothing to do with the Sunnis, we criticize what should be criticized when errors occur, and we support what should be supported.
Al-Hayat: Can you confirm the existence of al-Qaeda and extremist groups in Lebanon? Where do you think they are present?
Aoun: Al-Qaeda is present in Lebanon .. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/08/lebanon-infiltration-takfiri-groups-al-qaeda.html .. under different denominations, but eventually all groups are linked together, since each group has several subgroups with different denominations. The mother organization and the media website are the reference for al-Qaeda leaders and those affiliated to it.
Aoun: We don’t oppose Sunni forces and we try to secure a balance in order to maintain stability in Lebanon. We do not want an alliance or a clash with the Shiites and our basic goal is to prevent the situation from exploding in Lebanon. We want a consensus to be reached between the Sunnis and Shiites. Thanks to the memorandum of understanding signed with Hezbollah, we were able on more than one occasion to thwart the risk of an explosion in Lebanon and nowadays we can play the role of an honest intermediary in order to consecrate stability and reach an understanding about controversial matters. On the other hand, we don’t want to promote understanding that leads to a Sunni-Shiite or Christian–Muslim clash, since we reject all forms of conflicts in Lebanon and we all use our political strength in order to reach an understanding.
The formation of the government
Al-Hayat: On the internal Lebanese level, what is your take on the formation of the government? How do you assess the mission of Lebanese prime minister-designate, Tammam Salam?
Aoun: Prime Minister Salam has set prerequisites regarding the figures he wants with him in the government, which violates Lebanese regulations, specifically the Taif Agreement of 1989. The latter stipulates that the prime minister shall be appointed following consultations, and that he must collaborate with the deputies since basically only the parliament will give him confidence. The Taif Agreement also specified that no one may compel the parliament to choose specific ministers, since the minister represents the parliamentary bloc that authorizes him to run for the ministry and since it is the parliamentary bloc that voted for such minister and not the prime minister who will bear responsibility on behalf of said ministers. Furthermore, the prime minister is responsible in general for governance, but he is not responsible for the failure or success of any minister, while it is worth mentioning that ministers in Lebanon enjoy broad powers. The formation of the government started off on the wrong foot, yet it is still of utmost importance. However, there is a second obstacle hindering it, as if Prime Minister Salam was waiting for a green light from somewhere for the formation of the government to resume its natural course.
Al-Hayat: What do you mean by “somewhere”?
Aoun: Of course [I mean] from outside Lebanon. I wish we could know for sure in order to determine when the crisis will be resolved. The hindrance of the formation of the government is attributed to talks about this and that political figure refusing the participation of some other figure, as well as about some parties refusing the participation of Hezbollah, while another party proposes a government with no political parties as if it was all a game. Everyone knows that there is no government, and they are all waiting for something — maybe the end of the war in Syria and to see which side will win this war. I am not betting on any external event and I do not have any affiliation to any foreign party. I think we are able to build a nation in Lebanon, without having to care about who wins or loses the war in Syria. We were affected by what is happening in neighboring countries, but we were able to contain the aftermath of this neighboring war while at the same time building our country. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and sorry, and when the government will be formed we will resume our normal activity.
Al-Hayat: You mentioned that Prime Minister Salam is violating the Taif Agreement, but don’t you think that the Lebanese have failed to fully implement this agreement?
Aoun: This is true, the Taif Agreement has not been fully implemented. In one of the dialogue sessions, I personally suggested an explanation for some of the ambiguities subject to dispute in the interpretation of some of the articles of the Taif Agreement, but my suggestion was rejected, and each party retained its own interpretation. Correcting these errors requires everyone to be willing to do that.
Aoun: Europeans are not inclined to impose any sanction on Lebanon so far, and according to the opinion of Europeans themselves — as expressed by the EU Ambassador to Lebanon — this has had no repercussions on Lebanon. We think that this step is aimed at putting significant pressure on Hezbollah and is related to the party’s arms raised against Israel, before anything else. Herein lies the difficulty. There are major problems on the Israeli-Lebanese border and the Lebanese army is not capable of performing this task. There armed forces are showing negligence, and all of the Lebanese want the army to be the first and only party in charge of Lebanese territory.
----- insert ..
Hezbollah Hands Over Checkpoints in Lebanon to Avoid Strife
Lebanese army soldiers are pictured with their tanks, a day after clashes in the Lebanese town of Baalbek, Lebanon's Bekaa Valley September 29, 2013.
Jamie Dettmer October 03, 2013
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s militant Shi'ite group Hezbollah established dozens of checkpoints this summer in Beirut and other Lebanese cities after a series of bombings targeted their followers. But with Sunni resentment mounting over the security arrangements, Hezbollah unexpectedly has backed down. .. continued .. http://www.voanews.com/content/hezbollah-hands-over-checkpoints-in-lebanon-to-avoid-strife/1762098.html -----
Unfortunately, however, our resources are limited and there is a point of view according to which Hezbollah is necessary to deter any Israeli attack on Lebanese territory.
Al-Hayat: What is the international perspective regarding Lebanon?
Aoun: Of course the world’s perspective regarding Lebanon will change. This issue, however, is subject to many points of view inside and outside Lebanon, in addition to American pressure. There is no doubt that every Lebanese citizen holds the resistance in his heart. Every Lebanese citizen wishes for the Lebanese army to be the resistor.
The relationship between Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia
Al-Hayat: How do you describe the relationship between you and Hezbollah, notably amid the current situation?
Aoun: There is disparity in our views regarding many subjects, especially when it comes to the establishment of the state, consensus, democracy, the settlement of the situation in the south and the Syrian and Palestinian cause. The tenth article in the memorandum of understanding tackles Hezbollah’s weapons and stipulates holding a dialogue over a defense strategy, in order to ensure that Hezbollah’s weapons have a role to play. If this does not prove true, we will call for the party’s disarmament. The dialogue did not yield any results and has taken many forms that were solved on the political rather than national level. When it comes to establishing the state, we are against no one. Sunnis considered the memorandum of understanding that was signed with Hezbollah as being directed against them. They have dealt with it on this basis and have hampered the proposal. If the Sunnis had signed the memorandum, this dispute wouldn’t have come to pass and we could have all held a dialogue over the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons. The political view that sees the weapons of Hezbollah as directed against the Sunnis has led to negative reactions.
Al-Hayat: Will your meeting with the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali al-Asiri be a turning point in your relationship with Saudi Arabia?
Aoun: There are no obstacles in regard to the essence of relationships with Saudi Arabia. Some Lebanese parties, however, have created the illusion that Gen. Aoun is opposed to Saudi Arabia. If we assess the relationship with Saudi Arabia, we will not note any obstacles. Saudi Arabia is helping Lebanon to stabilize and build a strong army.
Al-Hayat: What are the aims of these concerned parties?
Aoun: In 2006, I was intent on visiting the kingdom. The visit was delayed and they intervened to prevent my visit until it was postponed and the invitation was withdrawn. The reason behind this is the way the memorandum was seen politically as directed against the Sunnis.
Al-Hayat: Do you mean [former Prime Minister] Saad Hariri?
Aoun: The first rival within the Future Movement is Saad Hariri. I had a group of friends that interfered but did not succeed.
Al-Hayat: How do you describe your current relationship with Hariri?
Aoun: Back then, we had different points of view. In the past, we had a dispute that led us to resign from the government. Now the dispute has ended. If Hariri comes back to his country, it is because he is a political leader and has political weight.
Al-Hayat: Will you visit Saudi Arabia soon?
Aoun: Why not? What are the obstacles that would impede me?
Al-Hayat: Would you accept the invitation even if such a step was not welcomed by your allies?
Aoun: The acceptance of the invitation is what matters. My freedom hasn’t yet died. We signed a memorandum of understanding but we are not allies. We moved from the phase of understanding to alliance during the July War .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Lebanon_War , when I took a stance. Most of the countries were against the assault, while others were for it. My duties and patriotism have led me to support Hezbollah. One-third of the Lebanese population is Shiite and Hezbollah was the one attacked.
Al-Hayat: Is your last meeting with Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah the reason behind the latest developments that have come to pass after the Saudi ambassador visited [your house] in Rabieh?
Aoun: We meet periodically every now and then. It has been long since we met, so we decided to meet to reach an understanding over the establishment of the state.
Al-Hayat: Many saw your meeting with Nasrallah as being the translation of Iranian concerns from your openness to Saudi Arabia. How do you see this?
Aoun: I do not think so.
Intervention in Syria
Al-Hayat: Back to the Syrian issue, how do you justify the presence of Hezbollah, your ally, in Qusair and the continued participation in the fighting, especially since it contradicts the self-distancing policy adopted by the Lebanese government? What is your stance in regard to Hezbollah’s interference in the affairs of an Arab country?
Aoun: This was a personal initiative on the part of Hezbollah. We had no agreement over this issue. We are against interference outside Lebanon. What happened in the Qusair issue is that the Lebanese borders were opened following the problems between Syrian and Lebanese citizens in Arsal and Hermel. Abductions were carried out between Shiites in Hermel and Sunnis in Arsal, which led to the interference of Hezbollah. The area became open and there are two different opinions about that. The first favors drifting problems away from Lebanon to prevent a new civil war, because abductions and counter abductions will take us back to 1975. The other opinion favors noninterference. This highlights the division in Lebanon. The fact is, lax security on the borders has led us to this phase.
Al-Hayat: Everyone perceives the Free Patriotic Movement .. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Patriotic_Movement ].. as a main driving force in the Lebanese political process. Don’t you think this movement needs a margin of freedom similar to the ones your allies in the March 8 coalition enjoy, especially after the participation of Hezbollah in the Syrian fight and the announcement of [Parliament] Speaker Nabih Berri that he does not consider himself a member in the March 8 coalition?
Aoun: We have nothing in the March 8 coalition except the memorandum of understanding signed with Hezbollah. There is no stability in the south. Yet, the war waged on the borders was based on solid reasons. And now there is stability in these areas.
Al-Hayat: What will Nasrallah say if Aoun decides one day to renege on the memorandum of understanding?
Aoun: I cannot talk about intentions.
Al-Hayat: Where does the resistance stand today? The resistance was defined as being opposed to Israel and it is now fighting in Syria and killing Syrian children and women.
Aoun: We are not a part of this agreement. The presence of the resistance in Syria is a part of an agreement with the Syrians.
Al-Hayat: Don’t you see a disparity between your stance and the stance of your allies and an absence of mutual vision toward many internal subjects, including the extension of the mandate of the parliament and Army Commander Jean Kahwaji?
Aoun: The disparity is clear and has extended farther than internal issues. We have worked to settle this disparity and we are free to use our positions. We see the extension of the mandate of the parliament and Kahwaji, in addition to crippling the Constitutional Council and laws, as major. Unfortunately, they have all agreed on isolating me in this subject. Until now, I am still somewhat shocked because the law and constitution are the only aspect the rulers must respect, and yet they have been crippled. Everyone ganged up against me and I’m having many disputes with the political allies and rivals over respecting the laws.
[ .. lol .. this is all a bit mysterious and complicated, but Aoun does sound a bit Cruz-like there .. ]
Even some of the Change and Reform bloc members have voted in favor of them. I was slightly shocked because I lost the battle and I still don’t know how these MPs are supposed to preserve the legislation, respect the constitution, observe the government and vote confidence or — if the law is violated — no confidence.
Suleiman’s stances
Al-Hayat: The stances expressed by President Michel Suleiman during the celebrations for Lebanon’s Army Day have flared up support and opposition. How do you assess his speech given that you have taken a stance in regard to the rockets fired on Baabda?
Aoun: Our stance is clear when it comes to launching rockets and firing on the symbol of the Lebanese state. This is not a political speech, I am opposed to the president, yet speeches cannot be expressed through rockets even in a symbolic way. I am against that. I know the relationship between the president and Hezbollah, which supported him when he was elected. We were surprised by the stance. We will hold a parliamentary meeting to discuss the new developments.
Al-Hayat: Do you see in the new Iranian era that came with the election of Hassan Rouhani aspects of a comprehensive settlement in the region?
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