Aoun: Deal Made to Extend Parliament Term, Lebanon Can't be in One Axis against Another
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday announced that a political “deal” to extend the parliament's mandate has been already reached among the various parties, noting that Lebanon cannot join an international coalition that might be aimed at confronting another coalition.
“My nomination has been submitted and all options are on the table. If today's statements turn out to be true, then there will be an extension of the parliament's term as we were expecting, but we have submitted our nominations in order not to leave anything to chance,” Aoun said in an interview on OTV, only hours before the deadline to file candidacies ended.
“Our stance has not changed and we're with holding the elections. We will consider filing a challenge (before the Constitutional Council) if an extension occurs,” Aoun added.
He said his bloc is against any extension of the legislature's term, lamenting that the majority of blocs “want an extension.”
“We want a new electoral law,” Aoun stressed.
He said Speaker Nabih Berri has not totally rejected extension, “because he said he rejects extending the term of a non-functional parliament.”
“This means that he would accept extending the term of a functional parliament and I believe that the deal has been already made,” Aoun added.
“We are ready for elections should they take place,” he said.
Turning to the issue of the stalled presidential election, Aoun said the line-up might be different in the new parliament should legislative polls take place.
“It may call for the election of a new president and in my opinion, the current mechanism for electing the president is very futile,” Aoun added.
“The president who should represent the Lebanese people cannot be 'a doorman in Baabda' and nothing at all prevents granting him powers,” he said.
Asked about his argument that he should be elected president because he has the biggest Christian bloc in parliament, Aoun replied: “Where should we get the president from? From Somalia? Denying the president's popular representation is a crime against democracy.”
“I have not proposed any constitutional amendment and I don't have the capability to do it, so why are they considering my election as a coup against Taef (Accord)?” Aoun asked, referring to his critics.
He revealed that negotiations with al-Mustaqbal movement over the presidential vote had stopped “when they proposed extending (former president Michel) Suleiman's term.”
“As for the issue of (parliamentary) elections, I proposed proportional representation and I didn't receive an answer from Mustaqbal.”
“I'm not impeding the presidential vote and I told everyone who asked me that I don't mind that a president be elected in parliament, but I have the right not to elect anyone,” the FPM leader went on to say.
He added: “I will not relinquish the confidence placed in me by the people and I may lose the battle but I won't give up the presidency.”
Describing himself as a “reformist man,” Aoun noted that drastic changes occur in all countries during crises.
“No one should say 'this is not the right time' for electing the president by the people,” he added, referring to his recent proposal to resolve the presidential crisis.
Asked about reports that his supporters are arming themselves under the excuse of confronting the Islamic State group and similar organizations, Aoun said “it is not a secret that all Bekaa border towns are monitoring what's happening and that everyone has a rifle at their home.”
“All people there have armed themselves as a precaution,” he said.
“I don't fear a return to the 1975 war as there is unity among Shiites, Sunnis and Christians, who are guarding side by side. There is no threat because the enemy is external,” Aoun added, referring to the IS.
Commenting on the U.S.-led efforts to form an international coalition aimed at confronting the threat posed by the IS, which has seized control of vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, Aoun said he does not believe the aforementioned axis has reached its wanted size.
“It must include all states that are directly affected, which means Iraq and Syria, and no one must be excluded,” Aoun stressed.
“As Lebanese, we cannot be in a certain axis against another axis. We are certainly against terrorism and we hope the U.N. will oversee all military operations against terrorism,” he added.
He also warned that the war against terror “must be comprehensive or else it will turn into a war over influence.”
Y.R.
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16 September 2014, 22:57
Aoun: The war against terror must be comprehensive or else it will turn into a war over influence.
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16 September 2014, 22:52
Aoun: The issue of the IS cannot be resolved through a certain axis. It will lead to chaos if (the coalition) is not inclusive.
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16 September 2014, 22:51
Aoun: We're not with a certain state against another state. We're saying that the U.N. Security Council resolution must be implemented and that all parties that want to fight IS must be included.
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16 September 2014, 22:50
Aoun: As Lebanese, we cannot be in a certain axis against another axis. We are certainly against terrorism and we hope the U.N. will oversee all military operations against terrorism.
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16 September 2014, 22:46
Aoun: I don't think that the international anti-terrorism coalition has reached its wanted size and it must include all states that are directly affected, which means Iraq and Syria, and no one must be excluded.
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16 September 2014, 22:35
Aoun: I don't fear a return to the 1975 war as there is unity among Shiites, Sunnis and Christians, who are guarding side by side. There is no threat because the enemy is external.
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16 September 2014, 22:34
Aoun: It is not a secret that all Bekaa border towns are monitoring what's happening and that everyone has a rifle at their home. All people there have armed themselves as a precaution.
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16 September 2014, 22:28
Aoun: The cabinet is showing solidarity and unity and we backed the decisions taken during its sessions. We said that the army will lose in any negotiations with terrorists.
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16 September 2014, 22:23
Aoun: An officer told me that the Army Command received an ultimatum on August 2 to release Imad Jomaa or face clashes and the fighting erupted during the night. The Army Command must conduct a probe and pinpoint the mistakes and things must not remain mysterious.
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16 September 2014, 22:21
Aoun: Arsal had been a supply base long before Hizbullah went to Syria and so was Wadi Khaled. Everyone knew that and we raised the alarm and our ministers talked with Miqati during cabinet sessions.
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16 September 2014, 22:19
Aoun on Arsal's incidents: This is an accumulation. I asked Miqati several times not to dissociate himself from Arsal and Akkar, and what happened recently was a bigger infiltration into Arsal. Terrorism must be tackled the moment it starts, just like when you deal with a fire.
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16 September 2014, 22:16
Aoun: All the problems started and escalated in Arsal during the presence of a president.
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16 September 2014, 22:15
Aoun: Let Fatfat talk about March 14 because he is not Hizbullah's confidant. I did not discuss the issue of the presidency with Nasrallah.
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16 September 2014, 22:13
Aoun: I won't accept to discuss with March 14 the issue of choosing any other candidate.
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16 September 2014, 22:12
Aoun: I will not relinquish the confidence placed in me by the people and I may lose the battle but I won't give up the presidency. I'm a reformist man and drastic changes occur in all countries during crises. No one should say "this is not the right time" for electing the president by the people.
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16 September 2014, 22:09
Aoun: I'm not impeding the presidential vote and I told everyone who asked me that I don't mind that a president be elected in parliament, but I have the right not to elect anyone.
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16 September 2014, 21:51
Aoun: Negotiations with al-Mustaqbal movement stopped when they proposed extending Suleiman's term. As for the issue of elections, I proposed proportional representation and I didn't receive an answer from Mustaqbal.
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16 September 2014, 21:45
Aoun: Some ask me, "have you met this ambassador, have you talked to this state?" What kind of president gets elected this way? Michel Aoun does not accept to be the president of such a state. We want to have friendship ties with everyone but we don't want to be negated by everyone. It is unacceptable to have a president who is subordinate to foreign interests. The president must rule and he cannot rule if he is a follower.
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16 September 2014, 21:43
Aoun: I have not proposed any constitutional amendment and I don't have the capability to do it, so why are they considering my election as a coup against Taef?
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16 September 2014, 21:42
Aoun: Where should we get the president from? From Somalia? Denying the president's popular representation is a crime against democracy.
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16 September 2014, 21:37
Aoun: The president who should represent the Lebanese people cannot be "a doorman in Baabda" and nothing at all prevents granting him powers.
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16 September 2014, 21:36
Aoun: The mechanism of electing the president does not dictate the political system in Lebanon, as it also has to do with the president's powers.
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16 September 2014, 21:35
Aoun: The line-up might be different in the new parliament and it may call for the election of a new president and in my opinion, the current mechanism for electing the president is very futile.
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16 September 2014, 21:33
Aoun: We are ready for elections should they take place.
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16 September 2014, 21:29
Aoun: Speaker Berri has not totally rejected extension, because he said he rejects extending the term of a non-functional parliament. This means that he would accept extending the term of a functional parliament and I believe that the deal has been already made.
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16 September 2014, 21:26
Aoun: We are against extension but the majority of blocs want an extension. We want a new electoral law.
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16 September 2014, 21:25
Aoun: Our stance has not changed and we're with holding the elections. We will consider filing a challenge if an extension occurs.
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16 September 2014, 21:24
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun in an interview on OTV: My nomination has been submitted and all options are on the table. If today's statements turn out to be true, then there will be an extension of the parliament's term as we were expecting, but we have submitted our nominations in order not to leave anything to chance.
16 September 2014, 22:44
135
anonym
actually I think he has not dyed it for a few days. Look again you will see some white hair...lol
16 September 2014, 21:55
62
What a low-level language? exactly like Frangiye!
shame on our politicians!
get rid of them all
16 September 2014, 21:58
812
SOLID, ironical, rolling orb!
Master of all, and matter of fact!—at last I accept your terms;
Bringing to practical, vulgar tests, of all my ideal dreams,
And of me, as Patriot and hero.
General For President
16 September 2014, 22:03
1310
And the laughter starts: "I have not proposed any constitutional amendment"
16 September 2014, 22:38
62
"only person who stood up to syrian occupation"
propaganda propaganda propaganda
16 September 2014, 22:48
05
As a citizen of the Lebanese republic I would like to watch a public debate between Geagea ( officially candidate) and Aoun ( Unofficially candidate).
you'll want too?
16 September 2014, 23:43
126
Aoun: I won't accept to discuss with March 14 the issue of choosing any other candidate.
How democratic.
Aoun: Speaker Berri has not totally rejected extension, because he said he rejects extending the term of a non-functional parliament. This means that he would accept extending the term of a functional parliament and I believe that the deal has been already made.
Define what is functional and non-functional.
16 September 2014, 23:46
116
Aoun: The president who should represent the Lebanese people cannot be "a doorman in Baabda" and nothing at all prevents granting him powers.
So when Hezbollah treated Sleiman as a doorman, where were you to criticise them?
Aoun: I'm not impeding the presidential vote and I told everyone who asked me that I don't mind that a president be elected in parliament, but I have the right not to elect anyone.
So if you don't mind a president being elected in parliament, why won't you discuss with March 14 on another candidate?
16 September 2014, 23:50
126
Aoun: I have not proposed any constitutional amendment and I don't have the capability to do it, so why are they considering my election as a coup against Taef?
So this direct election isn't a constitutional amendment?
Aoun: All the problems started and escalated in Arsal during the presence of a president.
But I thought you talked to Miqati about this? Didn't you warn him?
16 September 2014, 23:56
126
Aoun: The line-up might be different in the new parliament and it may call for the election of a new president and in my opinion, the current mechanism for electing the president is very futile.
So if the current mechanism is futile, why would your amendment be a coup against Ta'ef?
Aoun: Let Fatfat talk about March 14 because he is not Hizbullah's confidant. I did not discuss the issue of the presidency with Nasrallah.
Didn't you guys agree to the need for a strong president?
17 September 2014, 00:00
126
Aoun: I don't fear a return to the 1975 war as there is unity among Shiites, Sunnis and Christians, who are guarding side by side. There is no threat because the enemy is external.
Yeah that explains 7 Ayyar, the bombings in Dahye, and the fighting in Tripoli.
Aoun: I will not relinquish the confidence placed in me by the people and I may lose the battle but I won't give up the presidency. I'm a reformist man and drastic changes occur in all countries during crises. No one should say "this is not the right time" for electing the president by the people.
So how are you a reformist if you aren't capable of proposing a constitutional amendment?
17 September 2014, 01:01
125
You can start by thumbing me up. I think my comments are worthy of your thumbs up
17 September 2014, 01:16
115
And there is another saying by Albert Einstein:
"The difference between Genius and Stupidity is;
Genius has its limits."
Aoun knows no limits, enough said.
17 September 2014, 01:59
111
The liar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TczucmLgXd8
and his tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1UrmGj7Ddo
17 September 2014, 02:02
111
once a liar always a liar and one with a failed mission at that!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of8ElcOCK5Q
17 September 2014, 02:03
111
even before taef his task was clear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z34yOKPpXUY
17 September 2014, 04:46
122
Christians you illiterate cretin not Cristhians and this is to jog some memories
http://www.tayyar.org/NR/rdonlyres/D8726CC4-B415-4DFF-A497-81363ABBC490/0/SyrianChronicles021214_US.htm
17 September 2014, 06:13
114
Yeah I told him to learn some English before, but he refused.
17 September 2014, 05:40
115
Aoun: Negotiations with al-Mustaqbal movement stopped when they proposed extending Suleiman's term.
OH? Dude at least when you lie make it that it's unverifiable so you don't look foolish..
Michel Suleiman left office on 25 May 2014, on that date his term was over finished, done, kaput, he was an ex-president, was president no more.. As of 26 May 2014 his term could no longer be extended no matter.
Alain Aoun “We are engaged in dialogue with al-Mustaqbal regarding the presidential vote. 2 June 2014
Jebran Bassil expressed relief over the ongoing dialogue with al-Mustaqbal Movement.. 17 June 2014
On the dialogue between the FPM and the Future Movement, the FPM sources said that it is still ongoing.. 30 June 2014
Some people cannot tell a lie, others cannot tell the truth, Aoun cannot tell the difference..
17 September 2014, 06:24
103
Gotta admit, saying all that so his family doesn't get killed by HA/Syria is a hefty price.
17 September 2014, 06:26
113
Conditions aren't right to nominate himself, but other candidates aren't allowed to be discussed because he has the right not to elect anyone; direct elections are proposed, then he's not capable to amend the constitution because it's a coup against Taef but somehow he's a reformist...The moral of the story is that while some politicians flip-flop and change stances over a certain period of time, Michel Naim Aoun contradicts himself in the same sentence. This interview today proved his advanced dementia, and it's hard to understand how people could follow such an ill person. He is clearly not in condition to lead his party let alone a nation. He should be put in a mental institution, because he has lost all sense of reality.
17 September 2014, 07:14
113
Aoun licks the blood off Assad's hands. It's 2014 not 1990.
17 September 2014, 11:25
73
Thank you for your kindergarten logic FT... you're brilliant!
17 September 2014, 15:49
02
If Claoun doesn't become president it means that Claoun and ASSad lost as a team Flamer.
17 September 2014, 16:12
04
Complete self contradictory nonsense. He does not remember from one minute to the next what he is saying or has said. He is not opposed to Parliament electing anyone for President, but he reserves the "right" not to vote for anyone and his boycott of Parliament imposes his alleged "right" on everyone else not to vote for anyone.
