GMA's Interview on Syrian TV (19/10/2009)

[TayyaRevolution]

tayyar.org

General Aoun to "the Syrian TV": The Saudi-Syrian summit was positive; however, the Lebanese cabinet formation is an internal affair and has to be resolved by the Lebanese. To the “Liberte” French magazine:“Hariri has a desire to overcome difficulties and I do not think he will apologize.”

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In an interview with Syrian television on Monday night, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is unlikely to step down from his post again, especially since he and General Aoun agreed “not to give up” on the cabinet formation, among other issues.

"We have reached an understanding on various issues, most importantly on the fact that talks should end with an agreement," he said in reference to ongoing negotiations with Hariri on a Cabinet lineup.

“Hariri has a desire to overcome difficulties facing government formation. “ From here I say that we will form a government even if we were somewhat late," he announced

General Aoun denied that the Cabinet knot was the reappointment of his son-in-law Gebran Bassil as telecoms minister, saying the problem was "much bigger than that. Cabinet crisis is related to fear from the reformist and transformative policy of the Free Patriotic Movement that could nail down as many people who oppose it." General Aoun added.

General Aoun explained that even though Hariri is working to form the cabinet, his allies are the one hindering government formation.

“I felt, this time, that PM-designate Hariri has the will to overcome all difficulties facing the government formation,” General Aoun said adding, “Obstruction comes for some of the “Lebanon First bloc MPs,” because Hariri’s bloc comprises people of different orientations and tendencies."

General Aoun commented on the nature of Lebanon’s national defense strategy, saying that while it remains unofficial, “the strategy has imposed itself. The Lebanese Armed Forces and the security services maintain security and fight terrorism, while the Resistance conducts guerilla wars in case of any Israeli attack.”

He also supported Druze leader Walid Jumblat for the strong ties he has re-established with Hezbollah "and we hope it will carry on."

While Aoun expressed satisfaction with the political security situation in the country, he considered himself to be the number one on the list of assassination.

About the Doha Accord that ended an 18-month long political crisis in Lebanon, General Aoun described it as "good.” However, he accused pro-government team of "choosing what suits them best from this agreement."

On the International Tribunal issue, General Aoun said he believed it was "politicized" at the beginning, "but we hope to see judicial and not political decisions in the second phase."

The STL did not undermine the Lebanese-Syrian relationship, he said, adding that the court’s work could only enhance bilateral relations, especially since all previous allegations have been proven invalid.” “Until now, all facts renounce claims that place blame on Syria” for Hariri’s assassination, he said.

The Free Patriotic Movement leader explained that he found himself obliged to defend Syria after March 14 forces would accuse Damascus every time an explosion took place in Lebanon.

"We had gone through an extremely difficult stage following the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri. Each time a person is killed they would accuse Syria. We were forced to stand up in the face of this continuous political accusation and that had cost us some political price," General Aoun said.

General Aoun highlighted the positive effects of the Saudi-Syrian summit on Lebanon. Although Damascus summit was positive, the Lebanese cabinet formation is a “domestic affair and should only be resolved by the Lebanese.” Gen.Aoun concluded.

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On the same note, and in an interview with French magazine “Liberté” published on Wednesday, General Aoun highlighted the advantage of forming a consensus government instead of a majority cabinet, saying that Lebanon lacks the “political maturity” to follow a majority system.

General Aoun said the cabinet formation is taking a long time because the Opposition demands “guarantees.” Furthermore, He assured that these guarantees are very important explaining that in Lebanon, the party that wins the parliamentary elections governs in an authoritarian manner and in absence of institutions, such as the Constitutional Council for example, that safeguard the “rights of the minority” and ensure the opposition’s right to participate.

General Aoun also discussed the positive effect of signing a “Memorandum of Understanding with Hezbollah” in 2006, however stated that he failed to reach similar agreements with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, saying that his relationship with Hariri has improved, but that the situation with Geagea is more “difficult.” Some supporters of the LF still seek to divide Lebanon, while the FPM goal is t reach a national Unity.

In a return to the “crisis” in Lebanon, General Aoun explained that Lebanese crisis is “complex due to Syrian, Saudi Arabian, European, Iranian and US influences.” However, he concluded on a positive note saying that there is progress in the government formation, because of the “appeased relations” between the majority and the minority, stressing that a new government will definitely be formed.

[Shuyu3i]

Soon Lebanon will have its government.